MARGAO
In a development that threatens to leave the SGPDA markets stinking, the Margao Municipal Council has threatened to discontinue lifting of waste from the markets if the PDA fails to deposit an amount of Rs 53.57 lakh in the civic body on or before December 30.
The 15-day deadline was issued by Margao Municipal Chief Officer Siddivinayak Naik who dashed off a letter to the SGPDA showing statement of payments to be made by the PDA to the civic body for collection of garbage from the markets.
The statement compiled by the civic body states that the SGPDA has not paid the garbage collection fees of the last three years.
Sources in the know informed that the SGPDA markets may be left stinking if the Margao municipality executes its threat to stop waste collection as the SGPDA has no wherewithal to take up the task.
The wholesale fish market and the mega retail market comprise the retail fish market, vegetable and fruit markets, besides the meat stalls.
Incidentally, sources in the PDA said the matter will be brought to the notice of the TCP Minister and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, whose writ runs large not only in the PDA given his status as the TCP Minister, but he enjoys a hold over the Margao Municipal Council.
“SGPDA Chairperson Dr Renuka Da Silva is a senior member of the Goa Forward Party and so is the Chairperson of the Margao Municipal Council, Babita Prabhudesai. We expect the TCP Minister to work out a solution to the non-payment of the waste collection dues by the SGPDA,” sources in the know said.
When The Goan called up SGPDA Member Secretary Ashok Kumar, he said he would find out the exact amount that is to be paid by the PDA to the civic body.
He, however, hastened to add that the PDA will find out how much money the civic body currently owes to the planning authority for holding feast fairs on its land at the Old Market.
