Parra sarpanch slams govt’s new directive on waste collection

| APRIL 30, 2018, 04:17 AM IST


the goan I network

MAPUSA

Parra Sarpanch Delilah Lobo on Sunday’s gram sabha slammed the government for coming out with unreasonable demands in tackling garbage in panchayat areas.   

As per the new direction issued by Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC), all panchayats have to separate plastics of less than 50 microns from the general dry garbage sent to Saligao treatment plant.   

The panchayats are expected to separate cement bags, chocolate wrappers, wafers packing etc from other plastic waste.   

The GWMC has warned if the plastic was not separate as per the new direction, Saligao waste treatment plant will not accept garbage from the panchayats. “First of all, we are struggling to convince people and collect wet and dry garbage and now, the government comes with a new direction. Are we supposed to collect garbage or separate it,” Lobo said in exasperation.   

She said the director of panchayats issues the order to the BDO who in turns slaps it on the panchayats.   

She wondered how panchayats will be able to check the thickness of the plastic when panchayats do not have the required equipment to measure the thickness of plastics.   

Many gram sabha members also expressed unhappiness on the government’s new direction.   

Former sarpanch Benedict D’Souza said the government was trying to play a fool with the public. “Initially, when the Saligao plant was set up, the government said panchayats have to only send garbage to the plant. Now, they are coming with new direction every second day,” D’Souza said.   

The Parra Sarpanch informed the gram sabha that the panchayat will begin collection of door-to-door garbage very soon.   

She also said that Rs 500 garbage tax will be collected from every household in the village.   

Objecting to the stiff garbage tax, former sarpanch Benedict D’Souza said some people tackle their waste in their compound. “Why should people who do not generate waste pay tax? And what about those units that are closed,” he questioned. 

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