NGO says will seek GSPCB intervention for action on project
the goan I network
MARGAO
The NGO further said that the government or the GSIDC cannot technically extend the Saligao contract to Sonsodo without the same having been included in the initial tender document.
Addressing the media in the presence of activists Zarinha Da Cunha and Arun Borkar, UGF Ashish Kamat said the UGF will seek the intervention of the GSPCB to take action on the non bio-remediation project at the earliest and make sure that proper study and process is undertaken to rid Sonsodo of the dump. “We shall also petition the Chief Secretary not to make any payments for the illegal work undertaken without tendering,” Ashish said.
Saying that the whole process undertaken at Sonsodo is dangerous to the environment, Ashish said “also questionable is the act wherein a tendered project under GSUDA was cancelled after the work order was issued wherein one of the problem stated was landfill area. So, how did the MMC come around to help this time remains a question. We will be seeking an inquiry into that too.”
Saying that the UGF has come out with the expose after June 1 when the ongoing work at the Sonsodo site is stopped ahead of the monsoons, Ashish said “otherwise the TCP Minister could have retorted saying that vested interests have stopped the project.”
He said there is no process undertaken by the contractor under bio remediation to rid the dump of the heavy metals, adding “our main concern still remains, is how can the government take chances with the health of the environment which will further lead to issues with health of
the citizens by not undertaking proper bio-remediation before dumping the same in other areas.”
Interestingly, Ashish informed that when the UGF sought information from GSIDC about the bio-remediation project and the cost implications on the exchequer, the GSIDC reply stated it had no idea about what bio-remediation was all about and neither had they floated a tender.
“The file on Sonsodo bio-remediation had a total of four pages, out of which the first as a letter by Vijai Sardesai addressed to the CM asking him to undertake the project through GSIDC. The other three were of the MMC notices of HPCC meeting to be held on March 22, 23 and March 29,” he said.
Asked to outline the demand of the UGF into the episode, Ashish said the GSIDC has to float a proper tender, adding that the Pollution Control Board should intervene whether bio-remediation can take place at the site when there’s presence
of lead.
The UGF said that the TCP Minister, who had once vociferously opposed the Saligao plant has now propagated a similar plant for South when the people of Goa are well aware of the Saligao plant with regards to its technology and its overall cost to the
exchequer with a 100-ton plan costing the State over
Rs 400 crore.
