PONDA: Sacorda Panchayat in Dharbandora Taluka issued notices to around seven kiosk owners operating near the Tambdi Surla temple on Tuesday, warning them of punitive action for causing garbage menace.
The kiosk owners were unhappy with the notice and blamed monkeys for the garbage menace.
The 12th Century Lord Shiva temple at Tambdi Surla is a 12th century temple carved in black basalt rock, is an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monument and attracts large number of tourists.
Responding to the notice, kiosk owners said that they maintain the area clean and duly put garbage in dustbins provided to them. They blamed monkeys for the menace. They said monkeys in forest area empty the dust bins in search of food during night, thus littering the entire area.
Expressing their displeasure to the notice, Kiosk operators have demanded that the panchayat should provide relief to them as there is no employment and they are financially weak.
The panchayat warned that the kiosk owners will have to pay Rs 2,000 as fine for first offence and Rs 5,000 for second offence in case area their area found dirty with garbage.
According to Sarpanch Priya Khandeparkar, there were complaints from people after noticing garbage in near the world famous heritage site. Acting upon it, panchayat had issued notices to kiosk owners for maintaining cleanliness in the area.
While sympathising with the kiosk owners regarding the difficulties they face, Khandeparkar said that the intention is not to hurt the locals but ensure that the area is litter-free.
The ASI has also informed the panchayat to move the handcarts 300 meters away from the temple premises. However, a proper solution would be found out by discussing the matter with ASI after taking locals into consideration.
