CALANGUTE, FEB 14
The Shiv Sena has requested Calangute Panchayat to clear garbage early in the morning on a daily basis.
In a memorandum, the Shiv Sena has stated that while the tourism department is spending lakhs of rupees to lure tourists to Goa, the ground realities do not match the advertised material and cited the case of Calangute, a prestigious and favourite tourist destination.
Shiv Sena identified a spot saying that while the tourists arrive in the State as early as 5 am, the garbage lay scattered all along the Calangute beach road even at 9 am.
“The garbage is then eaten up by the cattle, thus generating a dirty stink which does not augur well for Calangute beach.
Therefore, Shiv Sena has demanded that appropriate garbage bins be provided to Calangute while insisting on clearing the garbage early in the morning.
When contacted, Calangute Sarpanch Alex T Fernandes admitted receiving letter from the Shiv Sena, but refuted the allegation that Calangute Panchayat is not clearing the garbage on regular basis.
Elaborating on garbage removal, Fernandes said: “The panchayat has initiated ‘garbage-free drive’ in Calangute since August 15, 2010, by spending lakhs of rupees on garbage bins.”
“We have procured 50-odd 240 litres bins with stickers on it by spending over Rs 1.50 lakh. We also arranged a contractor to lift the garbage on daily basis on an annual contract of Rs 24 lakh,” said Fernandes.
“I do not understand how Shiv Sena can allege that Calangute Panchayat is not taking care of its garbage. The contractor starts garbage lifting work at 7 am and I do not understand how early Shiv Sena wants the garbage contractor to lift the garbage,” stated Fernandes.
“More early garbage is removed, more accumulation of garbage takes place within minutes or hours. Villagers from the surrounding villages too bring and dump their garbage bags as the day progresses,” added Fernandes.
“Nevertheless, we are having our own garbage system in place and nobody can point a finger to Calangute on garbage issue atleast,” said Fernandes.
“Shiv Sena is taking publicity for unwanted issues like garbage in Calangute. As a matter of fact, garbage is not only an issue for Calangute but entire State and thankfully Calangute is controlling its own garbage generation not like other villages and even then such opportunists like to make issues to get political mileage,” alleged the Calangute sarpanch.
“We however do admit that garbage remains scattered here and there even though eight truck loads of garbage is lifted twice on daily basis. How can Shiv Sena Ad Hoc Committee member Philip D’Souza accuse the Calangute Panchayat for the garbage,” asked Fernandes.
As for the bins, Fernandes said bins are placed at different points like market, Little Flower School, Falcon Resort, Shirodkar Shop, Opp Kamat Complex, Opp Redando, Petrol Pump besides other locals along the Baga-Calangute road.
“However, people’s co-operation is of utmost important to keep Calangute village neat and clean,” added Fernandes.
