MARGAO
In a hard-hitting letter to the Member Secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board, the Shadow Council for Margao has demanded action against the Margao Municipal Council and Goa Waste Management Corporation for dumping hazardous/poisonous waste even after knowing the nature of the trash.
The SCM has also accused the GSPCB of failing to protect the environment.
"As we are still waiting for the test reports of the three samples submitted to the GSPCB by us on November 24, 2022, and so also the test reports of the two samples collected by your office on December 7, 2022, we hereby submit copies of the test reports conducted on the same waste, through the Goa Waste Management Corporation themselves", SCM Convener Savio Coutinho stated in his letter to the GSPCB.
He said the cause of submitting the latest representation was due to the commencement of dumping of the hazardous/poisonous waste once again near the District Court at Margao.
The NGO submitted copies of the test reports to the GSPCB pointing out the fact that the Mercury Level in the "compost" sample was six times higher than the permissible limits, and so also the fact that the so-called "inert" material contained unconfirmed hazardous/poisonous waste.
The SCM has demanded necessary action against the MMC and GWMC for causing pollution and irreversible damage to the environment and Ecology.
Coutinho lamented that it is unfortunate for citizens to realize that the department, which is supposed to protect and safeguard our environment, preferred to be mute to the indiscriminate destruction of the environment, and that too after repeatedly pointing out the same to the GSPCB.
"Your inaction or probably with your consent, the MMC and GSPCB have once again started dumping the hazardous and poisonous materials near the District Court at Margao," Coutinho charged.
He added: "It is indeed a shame for Goans that as taxpayers we pay your salaries, while you blatantly ignore your responsibilities and duties to the positions you occupy."
He called upon the GSPCB to exhibit their conscience, if they have, and act on this government-sponsored initiative of the destruction of the environment and ecology.
In the absence of the Member Secretary Shamilla Monteiro, the SCM convener met the chairman of the GSPCB Mahesh Patil and aired the grievances of the citizens of Margao and Fatorda. “The GSPCB Chairman has promised to seek clarification from the GWMC corporation over the hazardous and poisonous nature of the dumped waste, as seen in the reports, and assured to take appropriate action,” he added.
