HC directs Mapusa Council to stop garbage dumping at Assagao plateau

PANJIM, MAR CH23
The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) will not only have to stop dumping of garbage at Assagao plateau but will also have to immediately fence– the whole dumping site. 
The High Court directed MMC to appoint adequate number of chawkidars and guards within 48-hours guard at the site.
In pursuant to the order issued by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), on March 20, the Bombay High Court at Goa on Monday directed MMC to fully comply with five directions given by the GSPCB.    The Division Bench of Justices P B Majmudar and U D Salvi  was hearing a suo motto writ petition on garbage.
The Division Bench declined to grant additional time to MMC  even as its counsel H Naik  submitted  that  council will  fully adhere to directions  of  the Board but it would need some time to complete  fencing of the whole area. 
The court however made it clear that it cannot allow the respondent to act against directions of the GSPCB and it has to fully comply with directions by March 27.
In the inspection conducted along with amicus curiae Norma Alvares  GSPCB discovered that un-segregated waste was dumped at Assagao plateau  and garbage burnt.
Meanwhile, seven municipalities that were earlier found lagging  behind in implementation of the court directives, have now  almost completed  their  tasks.   While three municipalities today filed affidavits explaining what they have done, remaining have been given time till March 30 to file their respective affidavits.
And, matter has been fixed for hearing on April 8, when court  would  also take up the issue of  bio-medical waste.