the goan I network
MARGAO
With exactly 40 days to go for Fomento’s 60-day termination notice in respect of the Sonsodo waste treatment plant to come into force, the Margao Municipal Council on Monday dashed off a letter to the company seeking copies of various documents, including the Consent to Operate, obtained from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).
MMC Chief Officer Sidhivinayak Naik told the media that his office has sought a host of valid documents from Fomento pertaining to the waste treatment plant at Sonsodo. Besides seeking the document of Consent to Operate from the GSPCB, the MMC in the letter has sought documents including NOC obtained from the fire department, MSW authorization under SWM rule, 2016, details of the effluent treatment plant, fertilizer control order license, compliance for labourers as per Factory Act.
The letter has further asked the company to give the status of the existing fire fighting system and other necessary compliance like fire hydrant check etc at the plant.
Other details such as medical check up of plant operation etc along with data on production of compost manure since operation of the plant at Sonsodo has also been sought by the MMC.
Sources in the know say the MMC is bracing up for a legal battle after the civic body received the termination notices from Fomento on June 10. The MMC’s letter assumes significance and gives clear indication that the civic body is preparing itself for any eventuality with the Fomento’s termination notice stating that the Concession Agreement shall stand terminated upon the expiry of 60 days from the date of receipt of the termination notice.
While serving the 60-day termination notice on the MMC on June 10, Fomento had called upon the civic body to pay Rs 12.81 crore being the termination payment within 60 days from the date of receipt of the notice.
The MMC’s letter further assumes significance given that Fomento has set payment of the termination amounting to Rs 12.81 crore as a pre-condition to handing over the site along with plant and equipment to the civic body.
Fomento had made it categorically clear to the MMC that the company will continue possession of the site along with plant and equipment as stipulated in Articles 10.2.4(ii) and 10.2.4(iii) till such payment of the termination along with interest, if any, is made.
