Team Herald
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday told the Goa Legislative Assembly that he would initiate an inquiry into all the contracts signed with different firms to treat garbage at the Sonsodo dump.
The issue was raised in the House by Congress MLA Luizinho Faleiro who sought to know the total amount paid to different firms who had been assigned the job of treating garbage at Sonsodo.
Urban Development Minister Milind Naik who replied based on records, could not satisfy Faleiro, who pointed out to the Speaker that the figures were wrong. Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat also supported his party colleague.
Since Naik was being constantly questioned over the issue, CM Sawant came to his rescue. Sawant said that he will inquire into the entire amount paid to the different companies who took up the job but failed to deliver from the year 1998 till date.
Sonsodo dump is in focus because of the failure of government to treat the garbage which has been accumulating for several years. Faleiro said that the stench from the dump is unbearable and people living in the vicinity are suffering.
Taking a dig at the Opposition, Sawant said that the garbage dump was “not the creation of his government but of the earlier governments”.
“We have not created this garbage. We have inherited it from you. We are committed to find a solution for it. I will also initiate an inquiry into the earlier contracts given to the various companies to treat the dump,” he said.
As per the written reply tabled on the floor of the House, Margao Municipal Council has entered into a Concession Agreement with Sociedade de Fomento on January 01, 2011. As per the agreement, the concessioner was bound to do segregation, process the garbage using windrows composting system, recycle and ensure the safety of environment etc.
