MARGAO
The Margao Municipal Council has just two days’ time from Monday to comply with the directives of the Urban Development Department to tone up the waste management work at Sonsodo with the matter coming up before the High Court on July 19.
For, the High Court had in its oral order dated July 12 had warned that the Court would be constrained to initiate action against those involved if there are no compliances this time.
As per the oral order, the Margao Municipal Chief Officer is required to file a report before the Court regards compliance with the directives in the order dated July 11 issued by the Department of Urban Development.
The MMC CO is required to furnish a copy of the affidavit/ compliance report to the Secretary (UD) by July 18. Besides, the MMC is directed to furnish a copy to the office of the Advocate General, with the Court saying the Secretary (UD) or any other officer authorised by him is free to invite its attention to the status of compliances.
“If there are no compliances this time, we will be constrained to initiate action against those involved,” the High Court bench comprising of Justice M S Sonak and Justice Bharat P Deshpande warned in the oral order.
The Court will also consider on July 19 the application filed by the MMC seeking an extension of time, subject to the status of compliances by the MMC. The Court had passed the oral order in the presence of MMC Chief Officer, Gaurish Sankwalkar and Municipal Engineer, Manoj Arsekar.
“Considering the experience, we direct the MMC, including its Chief Officer, to give this matter the utmost priority, and without giving the usual or, at times, ingenious excuses, the directions in the order dated 11.07.2023 must be complied with,” the court had observed.
The Court, however, appreciated the prompt steps the Chief Minister and his team took in this matter. Not only was an urgent meeting held, but further, the decisions in this meeting were also given effect on the same date, the oral order stated.
The Court also appreciates the prompt steps taken by South Goa District Collector, Asvin Chandru, who is also the Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority. “This Officer promptly visited the Sonsodo site and even submitted an interim report based on his visit. This officer has made several suggestions in the interim report, and we are sure this visit and this report was considered in yesterday’s meeting,” the High Court order stated.
