PANJIM, OCT 7
Since the introduction of the Goa Waste (scrap) Recycling by the Department of Industries, Trade & Commerce (ITC), it has received 382 applications seeking relocation of scrap yards.
The scheme facilitates relocation of scrap yards which are mostly illegal and located in residential areas. The government intends to shift all scrap yards near industrial estate and Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has been directed to develop plots to accommodate them.
The government was compelled to act against illegal scrap yards after one Jatin Ramaiya from Ponda filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the government to take action against illegal scrap yards mushroomed in residential areas.
The nodal department – ITC scrutinizing applications received — physical verification is also done to check authenticity of the claims made by the applicant.
“All scrap yards existed as on April 29, 2010 are considered for relocation,” said the officer from Industries Department.
However, final decision as to whether a particular applicant is a fit for re-location will be decided by the committee of the respective area. Committees have been constituted consisting deputy collector, elected representative of the respective civic body, health official, officer of fire department and police official as members.
Determining ownership will be an uphill task because even though scrap dealers have commercial documents such as VAT and sales tax registration but do not have any documents showing their link to the usage of land from their operating.
“Traders dealing in scrap are mostly non –Goans and locals are distrustful of them. Local owners though allow them to use the land on rental — there are no documents to show that the land is being used by the scrap dealer,” he adds.
No of illegal scrap yards in municipal councils are: CCP—2, Margao – 22, Mormugao – 17, Mapusa – 30, Ponda –NIL (illegal scrap yards removed in 2009), Cuncolim– 4
Valpoi – 2, Sanquelim – 4 Bicholim – 2 and Curchorem — 7
