PANAJI
The Santa Cruz panchayat's latest attempt to install a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in the village had to be abandoned midway, as locals opposed the work on Tuesday.
The work on the MRF started at around 8.30 am with the labourers clearing the area and marking the site for excavation. Later, when the excavation work started, people gathered and voiced their opposition.
Panchayat authorities informed that they explained to the locals that they are undertaking the work as per the High Court directives. However, at around noon time more people came accompanied by the local MLA Rudolf Fernandes and voiced their opposition to the work being undertaken on the eve of panchayat elections.
The panchayat authorities then decided to postpone the work on the MRF and have now decided to undertake the same on Thursday. The authorities have further requested sufficient police force to be stationed at the site to maintain law and order.
When contacted, MLA Fernandes said people called him at the site as they expressed concern over the work being undertaken on the eve of panchayat polls.
“I will now meet Chief Minister Pramod Sawant along with the locals and chalk out a solution to the issue,” he added.
It may be recalled that the High Court had reprimanded the Santa Cruz panchayat over its failure to set up the MRF in the village and the panchayat authorities are in a race against time as the next hearing is slated on August 19.
