PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has pulled up the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) for converting the parade ground, at Campal into a “dumping ground”.
Hearing into a suo motu writ petition, the Division Bench of Justices M S Sonak and M S Jawalkar has directed CCP Commissioner Sanjith Rodrigues to remain present in the Court in person on June 16.
“We have pursued the affidavit. From the perusal, it is evident that for the last several years, the CCP has virtually converted the parade ground, at Campal, Panjim into a dumping ground, without obtaining any authorisation from any of the relevant authorities,” the Court observed based on the affidavit submitted by the CCP Commissioner, on Friday.
“Now an attempt is to pass on the buck and to express helplessness in the matter of clearance of the garbage, whether treated or otherwise which is presently lying at the parade ground,” the Bench further noted.
Counsel for CCP A D Bhobe sought time from the Court to come up with some proposals for clearing the waste whether untreated or otherwise which is presently lying unauthorised at the parade ground.
The Division Bench said, “Quite reluctantly but in the fond hope that the Commissioner comes up with some concrete proposal.” The matter has been adjourned to June 16 with instructions to the Commissioner to remain present in person during the hearing.
Goa State Pollution Control Board admitted that it has not taken any action for last 5-6 years when the unauthorised dumping was underway. However, GSPCB Counsel D Lawande assured that by next date it will issue necessary directions to the CCP. In case, such directions are not complied with, the Board will contemplate initiating prosecuting the CCP.
In the last hearing, the Corporation had conceded to the Court that it has no authorisation or remediation to dump garbage at the parade ground.
