PANJIM: The Congress on Monday challenged the Union Minister for Ayush and senior BJP leader Shripad Naik to compel the State government to scrap the proposed Solid Waste Management Plant (SWMP) at Bainguinim.
The challenge comes days after Naik raised his objection to Bainguinim project and along with villagers, called on the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant demanding that the plant be shifted to an alternate site.
Addressing media persons, Cumbarjua Block Congress President and ZP candidate Vishal Volvoikar urged Naik to walk the talk and compel the Chief Minister to scrap the project before the Zilla Panchayat elections, which have been postponed indefinite in view of COVID pandemic.
He charged that the opposition to the plant by the Union Minister is nothing but a “jumla” to create a fake feeling in the minds of the Zilla Panchayat voters of Cumbarjua Constituency to facilitate the victory of his son Siddhesh Naik.
“I will withdraw my candidature as Zilla Panchayat candidate from Corlim constituency, if Naik manages to convince government to scrap the Bainguinim project,” Volvoikar said.
He said the scrapping of Bainguinim garbage plant is a long standing demand of the people, who are fighting since 2003.
“I have actively participated in all the agitation opposing the said plant which will destroy the sanctity of the sacred Basilica Bom Jesus and Narendra Swami Math which are in close vicinity of the proposed plant,” he said.
Congress leader Rudolf Fernandes pointed out that Naik was never seen in people’s agitation opposing the garbage plant.
He alleged that the BJP Government was doing corruption on waste management while accusing the government of failing to bring a convincing technology which would treat garbage effectively.
