Team Herald
MARGAO: It appears that the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) can now only agree to the terms set by the concessionaire as far as Sonsoddo issue is concerned. Appearing somewhat helpless at the inspection held at the site on Tuesday, the civic body had to “agree to diktats” of the Fomento Green representatives.
However, the MMC chairperson Babita Angle termed it an amicable understanding, while Fatorda MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai claimed that the entire chain of events is an attempt to teach them a political lesson.
MMC chairperson, Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik, officials of Fomento Green and Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) were present for the inspection. Following a argument and exchange of words, the Fomento officials rejected MMC’s demand to accept the waste from hotels and restaurants at night and to allow it to use the baling machine at the tip of the plant.
Informing MMC on the heap of some ‘excluded’ waste kept inside the plant, the officials said, “This is excluded waste cannot be treated inside the plant.” To this, the MMC asked the GSPCB officials to conduct a test of the excluded waste. The GSPCB said it would take up a characterisation test of the waste and submit its report.
Following the test, the civic body would have to take away the non-compostable garbage.
MMC’s demand that Fomento accept the wet garbage from the restaurants at night, didn’t find any favour as the agency officials flatly denied the same saying that after three weeks Fomento may keep the plant open for accepting waste between 7 am and 7 pm.
When asked why the civic body agreed to the conditions of the concessionaire, chairperson Angle said, “We are certainly not agreeing to everything but we have to also accept the fact that right now they are in the possession of the plant. Hence, we had to arrive at an amicable solution”.
When questioned as to why the council resolution of reducing the money to Fomento didn’t find favour, Babita said, “It is just a council resolution because ultimately the person, who is arguing the case, has to take a call on how to use it”.
Councillor Arthur D’Silva, who had raised the issue of arbitration at the emergency council meeting said, “I asked the council why the concessionaire went for arbitration and what was mistake that MMC’s paying for? They have no answers. This is all a waste of the taxpayers’ money.”
Arthur said, “If the resolution was of no use in the court, then why was the meeting held? This only tells that they are all internally connected and the onus lies on the chairperson and the administration”.
Fatorda MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai said, “What Michael Lobo has displayed is cavalier attitude and is not going the way one should on the issue. Lobo is talking like going ahead with the issue as if he is trying to teach them a political lesson.”
“You aren’t giving technical clearance to the bio-methanation plant we have proposed. In that case, take our daily waste to Saligao, we will cooperate,” Vijai said and claimed that they are giving a clean chit to Fomento in this matter.
He claimed that MMC is helpless in this matter as the government is not cooperating.
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Babita to continue as MMC chief
With the Sonsoddo issue in full steam, it appears that Babita Angle will continue as chairperson of the Margao Municipal Council.
The MMC chief said, “I will decide my further move only on the basis of what the person, who made me take the chair, decides”.
Fatorda MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai said, “She can’t resign at this stage as it would mean abdication of duty. The Chief Officer will be transferred any moment and then new official will not know the matter and a new chairperson could fill in. Therefore, at least political leadership should take the responsibility”.
It may be recalled that Babita had stated that she would resign on the October 2 following several attempts made by opposition councillors to dislodge her in the past.
