Team Herald
MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council has decided to take up the matter of garbage management with the chief minister and the minister for solid waste management.
This was decided at a meeting of the council convened to discuss the implication of the court order directing the municipality to pay Rs 1 lakh per day to Fomento Green for handling the segregated waste at Sonsoddo.
At the meeting, the Councillors suggested that the Council should take up the matter of garbage management with the chief minister and the minister for solid waste management. This suggestion was accepted by the municipality.
The Court has directed the MMC to deposit 10% of the disputed amount, that is, the total termination fees has to be deposited within one week from the order which has already started from September 4. The operating cost of the garbage treatment plant, at the rate of Rs 1 lakh per day, has to be paid to Fomento from September 1 to 30.
“Why the MMC didn’t bargain on the amount and flatly agreed to Rs 1 lakh per day,” Councillor Ketan Kurtarkar questioned.
Meanwhile, the Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik said that he would go by the court order and follow it in letter and spirit.
“The payment can increase or decrease against future payment. It’s not that we have paid, it is an arrangement till September 30,” the Chief Officer said.
Informing that Fomento has raised a bill of Rs 22 lakhs for running the plant from August 10 to 31, the chief officer said that he has written back to Fomento seeking an itemised bill of operating cost, light, water, labour, machinery and others along with documentary evidences. “The daily breakup of the bills will be checked,” he said.
Councillor Rupesh Mahatme said, “Fomento is not ready to run the plant at all. Discuss whether we want to continue with Fomento or not. What is the future? I suggest that you meet the Chief Minister and High Powered Committee and tell them about the entire matter and find a permanent lasting solution.”
Acting Chairman Tito Cardozo said that he would seek an appointment with the chief minister on Friday.
