Team Herald
VASCO: Promising to make all villages of Goa garbage-free by the year-end, Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho said the government has asked all panchayats to see that handling garbage remains as their top priority.
Speaking to reporters, Godinho said directions have been issued to all panchayats to enhance mechanisms that have been followed while handling garbage in their respective jurisdiction and the whole emphasis should be to ensure that respective panchayat areas becomes garbage-free. “Even if it tantamount to increase in funds, I am inclined to double the quantum of the same (Rs 2 lakh) that these panchayat are getting towards handling garbage,” he said.
Godinho added that “Other measures which the government has been taking include setting up of modern garbage treatment plant. “Presently, Government has contemplated 3 plants out of which one is at Verna on the lines of Saligao. Due to code of conduct for by-polls, I cannot reveal more details but I will ensure that the government treats this on a priority basis for the sake of Goa and for the sake of tourism.” he said.
Calling Mormugao Taluka as a very important taluka in Goa, Godinho said that due to certain restrictions, we cannot have garbage plant in Mormugao due to existence of airport and hence Verna plant is necessity and this plant should be a reality as fast as possible.
“Mormugao Taluka is known as the industrial capital of Goa with Verna being the best industrial estate in the State, hence if we cannot handle garbage in this part of the town (Mormugao) then it is going to be very sad, especially because we have Dabolim airport in this taluka. As per norms, we cannot have any garbage treatment plant around a radius of 10 km of the airport and this problem cannot be solved, that’s why Verna plant is necessity, it should happen as fast as possible,” Godinho claimed.
Asked whether the government is contemplating to impose plastic ban across the villages of Goa, Godinho said, “We should first get alternatives only then we can enforce the plastic ban. Emphasis is to give a substitute to the Panchayat areas first and then to take other stringent measures,” he said and further added that “Presently we are working towards providing paper and jute bags as a replacement for plastics in the Panchayat areas. In due course, people will see a lot of things happening, now because of code of conduct, I cannot announce the schemes that are going to be formulated, but I can safely say that garbage is a top priority.”
