Both panchayats claim no NOC given to owner for the activity
OLD GOA
Panchayat authorities of Carambolim and Azossim-Mandur along with Old Goa locals caught CCP trucks dumping garbage in a private property near the historic fort wall of Old Goa on Tuesday.
Authorities of both panchayats were present at the site as part of the property falls in Carambolim and part in Azossim-Mandur jurisdiction.
This is the second instance when CCP trucks have been caught dumping garbage at the site. Earlier on January 14, the Old Goa police had attached seven trucks used for dumping garbage at the same site allegedly at the behest of the CCP.
Speaking to the media, Carambolim Sarpanch Uttam Murgaonkar said unauthorised garbage dumping is done by CCP on a daily basis here and today, the activity was caught red-handed.
“The property owner is first dumping garbage and then filling it with mud,” Murgaonkar informed, while stating that the valley has been entirely filled with garbage and mud.
“We had issued notices to the owner several times, but he never responded,” said Murgaonkar, while stating that his panchayat has not issued any NOC for the activity and will not issue permission for such activity as the people residing below the valley are affected.
Azossim-Mandur Deputy Sarpanch Cyprian Alfonso also said his panchayat has not issued any permission for the activity and would never issue an NOC.
“The church is located very close by and last time, foul smell from the garbage dumping activity had created great nuisance to the church-goers,” said Alfonso, while adding that the spring is also located nearby and the garbage dumping activity will contaminate it.
“The panchayat will issue notice to the owner and grant him two days to clear the entire waste failing which stern action will be taken,” Alfonso warned.
Former Azossim-Mandur sarpanch and sitting panch Ajit Bacal, however, alleged that it points to a massive scam in the CCP. “The CCP issues tender for garbage collection and clandestinely dumps it in nearby villages,” Bacal added.
Bacal said the panchayat would file a complaint against the CCP with the Agassaim police station.
“We will also lodge a complaint with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and other authorities concerned to take action against CCP,” he added.
“Would the CCP mayor keep quiet if garbage from villages was dumped in Panaji? The CCP mayor is dirtying neighbouring villages to keep Panaji clean. Would he have kept quiet if our garbage was dumped in Panaji?” Bacal posed.
Police teams from Old Goa and Agassaim police stations were also present at the site.
Only getting leaf waste from CCP: Property owner
OLD GOA: Owner of the property Prasad Parulekar insisted that he is getting only leaf waste from CCP so that he could compost it and use it as manure to plant trees.
“I have plans to plant around 6,000 plants in the property and I am getting free leaf waste from CCP to convert it into compost,” he said.
However, it was observed that the dumped garbage comprised not only leaf waste but also plastic and other waste as well.
A local, Glen Cabral, said the owner’s claim of planting trees is only an eyewash. “In fact, he has cut many trees in the area to make space for garbage dumping,” alleged Cabral.
