the goan I network
VASCO
Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho on Wednesday said a circular had been issued to all panchayats directing them to ensure that multi-dwelling and commercial projects comply with waste management rules, before granting these projects with construction licences and occupancy certificates.
“Some panchayats take more interest in works like issuing NOCs, construction licenses and occupancy certificates to projects, but this will be restricted now. To ensure that garbage is handled properly across Goa, this circular states that panchayats will not be allowed to issue permissions to multi-dwelling and commercial projects which do not have a proper garbage management system in their premises,” Godinho told reporters.
“We have now made it compulsory that files for projects with over four flats will have to be put up before the BDO, who will inspect the project and if required, somebody from the Directorate of Panchayat will also come and inspect the premises.”
“If the garbage system is in place, if the ward is clean and the panchayat area is clean, only then can this project come up in the area. If the project proponent takes steps or puts up a system where there will be proper garbage management and promote clean and green Goa, then the panchayats will be allowed to grant all necessary permission and certifications,” said Godinho. The minister said the NGT had issued a circular directing complete time-bound compliance of the waste management rules, which include door-to-door collection of segregated waste, transportation, storage and processing of waste at identified sites in a demarcated manner in each of the 191 village panchayats in Goa.
“However, two years have passed and village panchayats have failed to comply with even the Environment Protection Act 1986 and the Solid Waste Management Rules framed under in 2016, amounting to violation of lawful duties by panchayats. Officials concerned are liable for stringent punishment prescribed under the law,” said Godinho.
“The panchayats department will be held responsible by the NGT if the waste management is not put in place and instead of the panchayat department taking the blame, we took this step so that everything is
controlled.’
“We have also increased the money to all panchayats for garbage collection and still, many panchayats have not put a garbage management system in place.”
“All BDOs have been directed to supervise and monitor this new circular on a day-to-day basis and submit a weekly compliance report. The panchayats department will determine compliance on the basis of report from the BDO and surprise inspection by a team from the panchayats department,” saidGodinho.
