the goan I network
VASCO
The Velsao-Pale-Issorcim Gram Sabha has demanded that the panchayat be categorised under A category (Panchayat in the periphery of 12 kms from the airport) from the present categorisation of a coastal belt panchayat.
The Velsao Panchayat body also resolved to reserved a fund of Rs 10 lakh for construction of a shed to tackle garbage issues in the Panchayat.
The demand has come after Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho warned that panchayat bodies not acting on the garbage menace despite increased funds would face stringent action. Godinho had also said that Panchayat in close proximity of the airport (A Category) received funds as much as Rs 9 lakh to tackle garbage issues.
According to sources, Social activist and former panch Roquezinho D’Souza raised the point during the gram sabha and pointed out that despite being in close proximity of the airport and indulging in various awareness drives regarding garbage, the Panchayat was categorised as a coastal belt panchayat and received funds of Rs 7 lakh.
He said the panchayat should have been ideally getting a fund of Rs 9 lakh for garbage for being in close proximity to the Airport and within the peripheries of 12 kms of the airport.
When contacted, D’souza said Velsao Panchayat was also a member of “Airfield Environment Management Sub Commitee” constituted by the district Magistrate South Goa in 2016.
“As a part of this committee, we are entitled to conduct regular inspection and monitor the garbage management in and around Dabolim Airport. The Panchayat has also been participating In the regular meeting of the committee and executing assigned task to address Bird Menace at the Airport. We may have been erroneously missed out from the A category of Annexure B of the Govt Notification,” said D’Souza.
D’souza also informed that the Panchayat upon his request had also requested a landlord for a small piece of land for construction of a shed to tackle garbage menace.
“The panchayat body has requested for a land and we will construct a shed for segregation of dry waste and also construct compost pits for wet garbage. A fund of Rs 10 lakh has already been reserved for this development and the landlord has also agree to give us a small plot for this purpose “said D’Souza.
ACTIVIST’S TAKE
Social activist and former panch Roquezinho D’Souza points out that despite being in close proximity of the airport and indulging in various awareness drives regarding garbage, the Panchayat was categorised as a coastal belt panchayat and received funds of Rs 7 lakh
The panchayat should have been ideally getting a fund of Rs 9 lakh for garbage for being in close proximity to the Airport and within the peripheries of 12 kms of the airport
