MARGAO
In fact, the Cuncolim Municipal Council has sought to blame the Chief Officer for the mismanagement of the garbage landfill site and waste treatment plant, with CMC vice-chairperson Mario Moraes making a suggestion to the Goa State Pollution Control Board for initiating stringent legal action against CO Pandarinath Naik for alleged negligence and violation of the Environment Protection Act.
Replying to the notice served by GSPCB on the Cuncolim civic body for the failure at the waste treatment plant, the CMC vice-chairperson agreed that the landfill site still lies neglected and is not in use. He, however, shifted the blame on the Chief Officer to manage the landfill site, with a plea to initiate action against the Chief Officer.
On the other hand, Moraes prayed to GSPCB not to initiate legal action against the Council, saying the civic body has been trying its level best to treat the garbage and waste at the treatment plant under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act.
Moraes further blamed the Chief Officer for being solely responsible for dumping of the bio-medical waste at the waste treatment plant. “No bio-medical waste from the hospitals is to be dumped at the waste treatment plant site,” Moraes reminded, while demanding to know how the bio-medical waste from the hospitals has been finding its way at the treatment plant all along.
Interestingly, the CMC’s vice-chairperson’s letter to GSPCB assumes significance as Moraes drew the attention of the Board chairman, stating that the Chief Officer has been debarred by a majority of the CMC councillors from entering the treatment plant permanently.
