the goan I network
PONDA
The panchayat had sent letters to the GMC managing director, health officer of PHC at Pilliem-Dharbandora and FDA on March 17, but had failed to intimate the Goa Pollution Control Board, due to which the inspection was postponed.
Over 40 people from the vicinity of GMC had gathered in front of the gate for the inspection. They waited at the gate till 1 pm and then left the premises after Sarpanch Harshada Gawade told them that the inspection could not be conducted in the absence of other authorities.
Sarpanch Gawade, local panch Williams Mascarenhas, secretary Prasad Shet, PHC head Dr Sandesh Madkaikar, sanitation inspector Manoj Naik, complainant Chandrakant Naik and others were at the inspection site.
Sources informed that FDA had received the letter on Thursday afternoon and they couldn’t depute their officers .
The complainant and some locals have been alleging that meat traders collect market waste from Goa and neighbouring states and dispose it in the rendering plant of GMC.
When contacted, GMC Managing Director Uday Pednekar refuted the allegations. “Only the Corporation of the City of Panaji has entered into an agreement with us to dispose its market waste in our rendering plant and no other party is allowed to use our rendering unit,” he said.
Pednekar claimed he did not receive the letter in regards to an inspection by the panchayat.
According to Sarpanch Gawade, the new date of inspection will be conveyed to all departments concerned.
Cops arrest 20 hawkers at Calangute
MAPUSA: In a drive against nuisance posed by hawkers and vendors along the beach belt, Calangute Police arrested 20 persons on Thursday.
All were illegally selling goods and creating obstruction to traffic and tourists in public places and along the beach.
Those arrested have been booked under Section 34(IV) of the Indian Police Act.
“We conducted a special drive to eliminate nuisance created by such persons inconveniencing locals and tourists,” Calangute PI, Jivba Dalvi said. “Most of the persons who were arrested were natives of Karnataka,” he added.
Since January, a total of 151 persons have been booked under Section 34(IV) of Indian Police Act by the Calangute Police in a bid to keep the tourist destination free from such activities. Police said that the special drive would continue in future.
