the goan I network
MAPUSA
Launching its Clean Calangute mission, the Calangute panchayat has decided to issue fines and cancel licenses of business establishments that fail to segregate garbage or dumped waste in open spaces.
The panchayat in a public notice has said no garbage should be dumped or thrown in any public place, footpaths, streets, drains or sewage networks.
“It shall be the duty of the owner and occupier to collect and segregate the non-biodegradable garbage generated within their place and store securely within their premises until it is handed over to the panchayat,” the notice read.
The panchayat has decided to impose fines from Friday onwards as per the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1996. For residential houses, a fine of Rs 200 will be issued for the first offence,
Rs 500 for the second and Rs 5000 or imprisonment extending to one month or both, for every subsequent offence while for
commercial establishments, a fine of Rs 2000 will be issued for first offence, Rs 5000 for the second and
Rs 25,000 or imprisonment which may extend to six months or both, for every subsequent offence.
The panchayat has also stressed that it will collect only segregated waste and strictly from within the premises.
Stating that it has already begun the service of door-to-door garbage collection within its jurisdiction, the Calangute panchayat has requested villagers to be vigilant and report to the panchayat all individuals/business establishments dumping garbage in public place or keeping it on streets.
Calangute Sarpanch Shawn Martins said the panchayat was committed to keep the village clean and strictly impose fines from Friday onwards.
“Our garbage management team will be moving around from Thursday warning individuals and business establishments about the direction. From today
we will start issuing challans to everyone,” Martins said.
He said adequate steps will be taken to create awareness and notice boards
will be displayed at all entry points of the village to warn the public and tourists against public drinking and dumping of waste in the open.
