PANAJI
Five days after being informed by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) about the disposal of non-biodegradable waste in open areas by the Arambol Village Panchayat, the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday restrained the VP from issuing any new construction licenses until a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) is in place.
The Sarpanch and Secretary of the coastal Village Panchayat were summoned to appear in court on the same day. During the hearing, the VP acknowledged that it lacks the necessary capacity for garbage management after which the Court directed the Sarpanch to deposit Rs 50,000.
The Village Panchayat also provided an undertaking to the Court, assuring that non-biodegradable waste stored in open spaces will be transported to the Saligao waste treatment plant within two days.
Following the Arambol case, the Aldona VP may also face consequences as during the hearing; the Bench directed the Sarpanch and Secretary of the Aldona VP to personally appear in Court on July 3. This particular Village Panchayat also lacks an operational MRF for garbage management.
The Court has previously issued directions, requiring all VPs to establish MRFs. Approx 13 VPs were instructed to halt the issuance of construction licenses last year until they established the necessary facility.
