MARGAO: Margao’s civic society stated that the meeting between the High Powered Coordination Committee (HPCC), Margao Municipal Council (MMC) and other State functionaries on the Sonsoddo garbage issue left much to be desired.
“In hindsight, the meeting appears to be a disguised attempt to skirt the issue and escape public scrutiny. The citizens of Fatorda and Margao expected the HPCC to churn out positive time-bound solutions, but the meeting has left them more disappointed than ever,” said activist Advocate Rajeev Gomes.
In a press note issued on Tuesday, the civic society questioned if the HPCC and MMC were committed to resolve the Sonsoddo issue, why the deadlines and time frames were not fixed, what the implementation schedule was, and by which date citizens were expected to see tangible results.
“Further, the burden of paying Rs 50 per month towards garbage collection, cast on the citizens of Margao and Fatorda, is also ridiculous, unreasonable and baseless,” said Adv Gomes.
The civic society pointed out that the MMC had failed to conduct a survey and create a database of inhabited houses in its jurisdiction. They questioned how the MMC and HPCC, without such a database, arrived at Rs 50 per month.
“I demand that the HPCC and MMC immediately survey the number of households within its jurisdiction, and thereafter, calculate the cost involved in collection and disposal of garbage based on the number of households. I believe that the sum of Rs 50 will be reduced to Rs 30,” added Adv Gomes.
