Dy CM advocates need for garbage segregation at home

PMC launches 7 mini-trucks for garbage collection

THE GOAN NETWORK

PONDA

Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza has advocated the need for joint efforts by villages and municipalities to resolve the garbage menace, while stressing on segregation of garbage at home.

D'Souza on Thursday launched seven mini-trucks and an excavator for garbage collection, initiated by Ponda Municipal Council (PMC). Ponda MLA Lavu Mamledar, PMC Chairperson Dr Radhika Nayak, Director of Municipal Administration (DMA) Elvis Gomes, PMC Chief Officer and Deputy Collector Johnson Fernandes and others were present on the occasion.

PMC has spent Rs 56 lakh to purchase these mini-trucks and excavator.

“I think this is a big step towards keeping the city clean. It is not that only local bodies should work to keep city clean, but we all should help them,” D'Souza said.

He further said garbage is generated by everyone. “It's daily routine, but throwing garbage along the roadside and highways will not resolve the problem.”

“Even if garbage from the panchayat area is thrown in the city, it will not solve the problem, but it will add to the woes. Hence, we can help local bodies by segregating the garbage and by supporting them to install garbage treatment plants,” he said.

D'Souza said if municipal councils manage to handle garbage, then panchayats could work out an arrangement with them to lift their garbage.

“There is revenue in garbage too. Recycled garbage can be sold and there should be efforts to generate this revenue," D'Souza added.

MLA Mamledar, who has been a constant critic of the PMC, had a rare word of praise for PMC's work in tackling the garbage problem.

“I congratulate Chairperson Nayak and Councillor Venkatesh Naik for getting awards from the government to manage garbage,” Mamledar said.

Mamledar further said even society should take responsibility of segregating garbage at their homes, which will help the local bodies for further process.