VASCO
Locals from Quelossim reacted with outrage after a garbage contractor appointed at Sancoale was allegedly found dumping huge quantum of garbage at a secluded and remote part of Quelossim village.
The incident was first exposed after Quelossim Deputy Sarpanch Sebastian Serrao allegedly caught the contractor’s staff red-handed while dumping heaps of garbage, reportedly from Sancoale Panchayat, at a secluded location in Quelossim.
“The site is so remote that no one would have even realised the activity. A small mud road leads to the site which is around a kilometre away from some houses, but constant movement of garbage vehicles raised suspicion and the deputy sarpanch caught the contractor’s staff red-handed,” a source told The Goan.
A video of the garbage being dumped at Quelossim went viral on social media, sparking off anger among residents in the village who have been taking steps to keep their village clean and tidy.
Quelossim Sarpanch Maria Souza reported the matter to the police and later approached Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha on the issue along with panch members.
According to sources, the contractor was called to the MLA’s office where he reportedly apologized for the incident and also assured to clean the area. Sources said Saldanha also informed Souza to give him one chance to rectify his mistake and directed the contractor to clean the site immediately. The contractor reportedly agreed and assured to clean the site.
However, residents claimed that the contractor, instead of removing the garbage, has begun burning the garbage and also attempted to bury the garbage in the mud.
“Angry villagers then demanded action against the contractor,” the source said.
Quelossim-based social activist Lopinho Xavier said: “This is not our garbage and it is being dumped in our village without approval and permission. Political interference should not be allowed in such cases and stringent action should be taken.”
“We appeal to the panchayat, our MLA and police to investigate the matter and take stringent action and ensure that the area is cleared,” said Xavier.
Meanwhile, another resident, Caetano D’Silva, said the matter was even raised in the Gram Sabha. “This garbage is being brought from Sancoale and is dumped here while we are striving to keep the area clean. They had assured to clean the area but instead, have set the garbage on fire, which is absolutely wrong.
“This issue was raised at a recent gram sabha and we had demanded action by the panchayat. But it looks like no one cares for the panchayat and these people dump garbage here on the quiet without anyone noticing them. I salute the deputy sarpanch for catching them red-handed,” said D’Silva. When contacted, Quelossim Deputy Sarpanch Sebastian Serrao said the matter had been sorted after the contractor had assured to clean the place and had promised not to dump the garbage in the area again.
