TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Village Panchayats along Salcete’s coastal belt in Benaulim constituency have been told to put a mechanism in place in their respective villages for the collection of non recyclable waste from July 1.
Chief Secretary B Vijayan along with Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva and Goa State Pollution Control Board chairman Jose Manuel Noronha, had an interaction with the elected representatives of the panchayats in Benaulim constituency on Thursday. They reviewed the progress in the implementation of the plastic collection scheme initiated by the government from February last.
While it was found that the panchayats of Benaulim and Varca have put in place a system for plastic waste collection, the authorities drew the attention of the remaining panchayat bodies towards implementation of the scheme at the earliest.
Sources said the panchayat bodies raised a host of queries vis-a-vis the plastic waste collection exercise, especially with regards to the financial implications in implementing the drive. They pointed that the amount sanctioned for solid waste management is not sufficient to meet the huge requirements of wage, while calling upon the government to make adequate monetary provision for payment of wages.
It is learnt that the Chief Secretary suggested to the panchayat bodies to explore the possibility of levying garbage fees on households. While requesting the panchayats to start the drive from July 1, they were told to set up a cage to house the plastic waste, a bailing facility if possible and a provision for a route map to facilitate the contractor to lift the waste without difficulty.
