VASCO: Four panchayats from Mormugao taluka are yet to make Material Recovery Facility (MRF) operational as per the court directions. Verna, Cortalim, Nagoa and Bogmalo panchayats have their MRF in place and operational.
Herald last year reported that several panchayats from Mormugao taluka were fined Rs. 5000 and more by the GSPCB for not complying by the directives given by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the High Court to undertake proper waste management, install Material Recovery Faciliity (MRF) and to hand over the waste to Goa State Waste management Corporation for proper final disposal. At that time GSPCB chairman had said that the imposed fines varied as per the severity of the violations done by the village panchayat.
When contacted Sanjeev Joglekar of Goa State Pollution Control Board explained that local panchayats should actually do waste collection, segregate the waste and each panchayat should have its Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in their jurisdiction. He also agreed that despite High Court order to install and operate the MRF in each panchayat, several panchayats have not complied within a certain given time. Therefore they were fined last year.
Last year Velsao panchayat was fined Rs 25,000 by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and rest of the panchayats such as Cansaulim, Quellosim, Cortalim, Nagoa, Sancoale, Chicalim and Bogmalo were fined of Rs.5000 for not having a Material Recovery Facility for their Panchayat jurisdiction.
Sachin Naik, Village Panchayat Secretary of Cortalim and Nagoa said MRF from Nagoa panchayat was completed and was made operational on this Independence Day. The 150 sqm set up cost them around Rs.23 lakh. Narayan Naik, VP Secretary of Verna and Quelossim panchayats Verna panchayat has its MRF operational but Quellosim, currently they do not have one as yet but tender has been passed and the work to install the MRF will start next week.
When VP Secretary of Sancoale, Krishna Gaude when questioned about their MRF, she said work to install MRF in progress and soon the panchayat will have one.
Cansaulim have a temporary shed erected which is being used for the purpose, revealed Vidur Fadte, VP Secretary of the panchyat. The work of installing stalled as few locals had raised objection. “Now the panchayat has identified a new site and we are waiting to obtain NOC from the Communidade,” he said.
Velsao panchayat has given work order to the contractor. The MRF will come in Issorcim village. Currently Velsao, even after paying such a high fine last year do not have MRF as yet.
Chicalim panchayat have a temporary shed where the segregation of waste is done. The work to install MRF facility can be expected operational within two to three months revealed Kapil Naik, VP Secretary of Chicalim.
Bogmalo Panchayat has a small MRF shed. “We have also proposed new MRF shed under Swachh Bharat Scheme which we can expect to be ready within two to three months,” said Sankalp Mahale, panch member.
Joglekar said that a special committee was formed to review and study about how many panchayats have built and made MRF operational in their panchayats. “There will be hearing in the court about MRF issue soon,” he added.
