the goan I network
MARGAO
At a time when Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho has vowed to take the Open Defecation Free (ODF) scheme to the doorsteps of the people, questions are raised whether certain provisions in the scheme have come in the way of its effective implementation, more so when the intended beneficiary is a mundcar or a tenant.
Otherwise, consider this. A resident of Loutolim Joaquim Gracias had issued a No Objection Certificate to his tenant after the latter approached him for the NOC to avail a toilet under the ODF scheme. Till date, however, the process of getting the toilet has hit a road block for the simple reason that ODF rules mandate the tenants to obtain the NOC from the landlord on a stamp paper.
The very mention of the NOC on a stamp paper has further delayed the process. Landlord Gracias has questioned the provision mandating the tenant to obtain the NOC on a stamp paper, saying this may dissuade many a landlord from issuing the NOC for the reason that it raises legal issues. “I had issued the NOC to my tenant so that he avails the toilet under the ODF scheme. There may be similar instances wherein landlords may hesitate to issue the NOCs on stamp papers. This may defeat the very purpose of the scheme,” Gracias said, while demanding that the government exempt the mundcars or tenants from obtaining the NOC on a stamp paper.
Salcete Block Development Officer, Milindra Velip, however, begged to differ. He said the scheme provides for allotting the toilet to a mundcar and tenant even without an NOC. He, however, hastened to add that if the tenant or a mundcar prefers to submit an NOC, the rules mandate that the NOC ought to be issued by the landlord on a stamp paper. “I have already discussed the issue with Joaquim Gracias. I have explained him the rules, which states that the toilet can be availed by the mundcar or tenant even without an NOC,” the BDO added.
Gracias, however, pointed out that the government should streamline the process wherein the mundcars are allotted the toilets based on an NOC issued on a plain paper by the landlords.
Incidentally, the PA to Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa, Fredrick Borges said that CM Manohar Parrikar had given a categorical assurance on the floor of the house that mundcars and tenants will not be left in the lurch in the implementation of the scheme.
In fact, Borges pointed out that there are around 68 cases pertaining to the mundcars/tenants pending in Nuvem constituency for want of NOCs from the landlords. “Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa has taken up the issue with the government to ensure that these 68 families get the benefit of the ODF scheme,” he added.
