the goan I network
MAPUSA
The Ucassaim panchayat will soon set in motion the process of acquiring land for setting up of a mini-waste treatment plant in the village.
Panchayat Secretary Khushali Halarnkar informed the gram sabha that as per the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order every panchayat has to identify land of an area of at least 5,000 square metres for treatment of garbage.
He said every panchayat was expected to set up a mini-waste treatment plant to treat the village waste. “Our panchayat has already identified land under survey number 48/1 for treatment of waste some time back. Very soon we will start the process of acquiring the land,” Halarnkar said. The secretary further informed that the engineer has prepared a project report for setting up of a mini-waste treatment plant for the village which would cost around Rs 25 lakh.
A local, Edward D’Cruz, said setting up of waste treatment plant on a hill would be detrimental to the village as the land identified by the panchayat was a hilly area.
He said the leachate produced by the garbage would percolate into the ground and contaminate the wells and other water bodies in the locality. The secretary has also informed the gram sabha that the panchayat would sign a memorandum of understanding with the Animal Rescue Centre at Assagao to conduct an anti-rabies programme in the village.
A gram sabha member said monsoon was fast approaching but the panchayat was yet to take up pre-monsoon works such as cleaning of drains and trimming of trees.
Another gram sabha pointed out that a drain passing near her house was not cleaned for the last five years. She said during heavy rain, water could enter into the houses in the area.
Sarpanch, George D’Souza, assured the gram sabha that pre-monsoon works will be taken up as soon as the election code of conduct was lifted.
D’Cruz suggested inviting representatives of the electricity and water departments at the next gram sabha so that locals could place their grievances before the authorities.
He disclosed that recently his ward did not get water for five days but when he went to enquire with the PWD, the engineers went about passing the buck around.
The panchayat secretary assured the gram sabha to take note of the request of the villager and invite representatives of power department and PWD for the next gram sabha.
The gram sabha approved Rs 1.13 crore budget for the village panchayat for 2019-20.
