the goan I network
MARGAO
While the Margao Municipal Council team headed by Chief Officer Sidhivinayak Naik went about cracking a whip against establishments handing over mixed waste, nothing has been heard on the controversial Garbage Sentinel Scheme since its introduction six
days ago.
While the municipal team went about imposing fines on the garbage offenders under the provisions of the Goa Non-biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1996, not a single fine has been imposed on the persons who were caught on camera under the sentinel scheme for disposing of waste in the open.
While sources in the know suspect that the MMC has slowed down on implementation of the sentinel scheme after questions were raised under what provision of law can the civic body levy a fine of Rs 5000 on the offender, the Chief Officer defended the go-slow approach of the civic body saying the municipality has asked the law-enforcing agencies to get the owners based on the registration number of their vehicles.
“Right now, we have concentrated our drive departmentally without involving the sentinels. We have acted under the provisions of the Goa Non-biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act and the drive will continue,” Naik said, without going into the details of the sentinel scheme.
