the goan I network
OLD GOA
Upset over statements of some locals that Se Old Goa panchayat authorities have failed in undertaking cleanliness around the Church complexes even after the feast was over, Sarpanch Janita Madkaikar said panchayat workers are undertaking regular cleaning of garbage in Old Goa.
“Around 12 labourers are employed by the panchayat who are involved in regular cleanliness in Old Goa. Even then, the locals are unnecessarily making an issue. The garbage cannot be cleaned overnight. It’s a continuous process and the locals should understand,” Madkaikar stated.
On the issue of the fair being extended beyond the deadline of December 5, Madkaikar informed that it’s been a tradition for several decades that the fair gets extended by a few days as people from Old Goa and surrounding villages rush to buy wares at a less rate.
“Last year, the fair stayed put for around 15 days, but this year we saw that it was removed much earlier,” she added.
On levying heavy penalties on stall owners violating the terms and conditions, Madkaikar stated that the panchayat will discuss the same at the fortnightly meeting.
Panch Vishwas Kuttikar said some villagers have unnecessarily made an issue that garbage is not cleaned by the panchayat when the fact is that the panchayat workers are doing the job.
“From November 24 to date, our workers are collecting the garbage. The same will be segregated and sent to the Saligao waste plant within the next couple of days,” Kuttikar informed.
Panch Vishal Volvoikar, representing Ward 9, stated that his ward is the worst affected as the locals have been facing a problem of garbage, post-feast, for the last many years. “But the locals need not panic as the same will be cleared in a couple of days,” Volvokar promised while opining that lakhs of people attend the fair and there is a lack of manpower to deal with the garbage.
“In another two days, the problem will be solved as the collected garbage will be segregated and then sent to Saligao plant for treatment,” he assured.
