Team Herald
MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council on Monday accuses Fomento Green, Sonsoddo plant concessionaire for holding the town and civic body at ransom. The MMC has been forced to give permission letter to the Fomento to dump the rejects of last 22 days back at the dump.
The meeting witnessed arguments with some accusing Margao MLA Digambar Kamat of interfering in anti-encroachment drives.
MMC chairperson Babita Angle, who chaired the meeting along with Vice Chairperson Tito Cardozo and Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik said when DMA and Chairperson of Solid Waste Management Corporation came to inspect the Sonsoddo plant, there were 22 days of reject garbage dumps lying at the Fomento plant.
Babita said, “Fomento was asked to complete the landfill site, which is still incomplete. Now, neither we nor the plant can send the garbage to the dump” she said and added that Fomento is asking for a letter to remove the waste and empty the same at the dump. “Fomento is holding the town at ransom. We will now have to take a decision,” she said.
“Concession agreement says they have to accept mixed waste and segregate it too. Fomento has to process even mix waste. The company cannot revoke the agreement according to its whims and fancies. Fomento has cheated us totally. It has to segregate waste as per the agreement,” said Councillor and former chairperson Arthur D’Silva.
Arthur informed that Fomento has never given any letter of completion of the plant to the MMC and that they are on a trial basis. The MMC said that there is no option other than the dump.
Meanwhile, when Damu Naik raised the issue of chor bazaar and illegal vending on streets and passages in Margao, the ruling Councillors alleged that the Margao MLA Digambar Kamat is interfering in the removal of encroachments in the town.
Rupesh Mahatme, Councillor said, “Inspectors are pointing out towards Margao MLA for not having successfully cleared encroachments in Margao.” Digambar-backed Councillor Manoj Masurkar argued and asked his colleagues not to blame the MLA.
“Do you’ll know how much groundwork our MLA does?” he asked.
Fatorda Forward Councillor Lyndon alleged that Margao MLA is interfering in all the affairs of municipality.
Chairperson Babita was forced to stop the commotion and added that if there is MLA interference in works then it is the failure of MMC.
“I authorise the Chief Officer to remove all encroachments in his personal watch on two Sundays,” she said.
The MMC decided to appoint an agency to put the garbage system in place. “Proposal can be sought and presentation can be held,” Chairperson said.
The MMC plans to recruit at least 70 to 100 labourers through a contractor for various works in the wards.
