Coastal VPs get deadline for garbage composting units
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JUNE 22
The Coastal Village Panchayats (CVPs) that have been found wanting in setting-up garbage treatment facilities received fresh warning from the Bombay High Court at Goa on Tuesday.
While taking CVPs to task, a Division Bench comprising Justice A S Oak and Justice F M Reis, directed them to complete the process of setting up of garbage composting units by July 23, 2010.
The Division Bench have sounded warning that contempt proceedings would be initiated against CVPs if they fail to comply with Court directives before the next date of hearing .
The Division Bench was hearing a suo motto writ petition on garbage which has been pending before High Court since 2007.
The High Court has pursued the garbage problem by issuing directions to CVPs and municipalities from time to time during last the three years, civic bodies have been dragging their feet in complying with court orders.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) conducted inspection of composting facilities in village panchayats on direction of the Court and filed a detailed report in April , 2010, has revealed that many have not set up composting facilities.
When the matter came up for hearing today morning, Amicus Curiae Norma Alvares submitted a chart based on the GSPCBs inspection report, showing the number of panchayats that have complied with the directions of the Court.
She told the Court that most panchayats have not acquired sites for setting up of garbage composting units. “During pendency of the petition, erring panchayats were warned several times and some were also ordered to deposit Rs 25,000 each, to show their bonafides, but every time the petition come up for hearing , they come up with a fresh excuse seeking adjournment,” she complaint.
Supporting her claim Senior Counsel Atmaram Nadkarni who appeared on behalf of the GSPCB told the Court that inspections report indicate none of the CVPs have implemented the courts orders.
“The Court should directed sarpanchs and secretaries of village panchayats to deposit amount from their own pocket. Unless this is done, the petition will remain pending for several more years.” He said.
Thereafter, the Division Bench admitted the petition issuing stern warning, “if we find even slightest non compliance of the Court orders on the next date of hearing, we will take appropriate action against those panchayats.”
The Court further directed GSPCB to conduct fresh inspection of the sites between July 26 and August 2 and to file compliance report on August 5.
The Court also made it clear that all previous interim orders passed in this petition will continue until further orders.
Colva Village Panchayat:
The Colva Village Panchayat came under heavy fire as it was brought out that it has done absolutely nothing in addressing the garbage problem. Apparently, a active citizens from Colva Village
are before High Court wherein they complained that their panchayat has been doing nothing towards collection and disposal of garbage. The report of the GSPCB also confirmed that indeed Colva Village, where the problem of garbage is more grave, had not bothered to comply with directions of the Court.
Taking serious note of the non-compliance of its orders, the High Court has now ordered Colva panchayat not to issue fresh construction licences to any new multi-storeyed building without the leave of the court.
Meanwhile, the court has granted more time to some municipalities to implement High court directives pertaining to setting of garbage treatment facilities. They have been directed to complete setting up of composting units by April, 2011 but have asked to file compliance report by October 31, 2010.
This municipalities include Valpoi, Ponda, Pernem and Margao. Next hearing in the matter has been fixed on November 15.
