MARGAO: A joint inspection involving government officials and local farmers was conducted in the fields near Salpem Lake on Wednesday. However, following the ground survey, the Navelim Sarpanch expressed frustration, stating that the officials appeared reluctant to take responsibility for the ongoing sewage discharge issue.
This matter has been brought to the attention of various government departments, Ministers, and even the High Court (HC), but untreated sewage continues to flow into Navelim’s fields.
Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik had visited the lake earlier this week, where the farmers had urged action to halt the sewage discharge which was creating hardships for them in the fields.
During the inspection on Wednesday, officials from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), Public Works Department (PWD), and the Sewerage Corporation were present. However, the Water Resources Department (WRD) failed to attend the inspection, leading to a situation where responsibility was being passed between different departments.
Officials from the sewerage corporation claimed that the WRD should take measures to prevent sewage from entering the water body and mentioned their attempts to stop the discharge through new connections. However, they were unsure of the exact source of the sewage. GSPCB officials stated that they would forward their report to the local panchayat and relevant departments.
Members of Navelim’s Village Development Committee (VDC), Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), and Sarpanch Lucia Carvalho were present during the inspection. BMC members called for legal action under the Water Act and the Environment Protection Act against government officials responsible for the contamination and destruction of the water body.
Sarpanch Carvalho expressed her dissatisfaction with the outcome of the inspection, stating that officials appeared reluctant to take responsibility and lacked effective solutions. She emphasised that farmers had repeatedly sought assistance from the panchayat to stop the sewage discharge.
While the panchayat had fulfilled its part, the responsible government departments needed to find a resolution, she said.
