MARGAO
Independent MLA supporting the BJP-led government Reginaldo Lourenco on Thursday said there must be zero tolerance in the form of cancellation of licence permanently and seizing of water tankers for good against all these operators who are playing with the life of people by supplying sewage/ hazardous waste.
In a letter to Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, the Curtorim MLA drew his attention to what he termed as a vital health issue that has emanated from the recent incidence in which a water tanker was caught by the locals for transferring sewage on the night of April 21 at Zuarinagar in Sancoale.
“It is criminal act for a water tankers whose only task is to supply water in residential areas for domestic purposes to be involved in supplying sewage or even hazardous waste as it is putting the risk of people of Goa at the highest risk including making them ill for life, instant death and even killing them with slow poisoning”, he said.
He added: “In this instant case, the vigilant locals were involved in getting the water tanker caught for supplying the dangerous sewage but there is a fear and anxiety in the minds of people of Goa on the quality and safety of water supplied by these water tankers in the residential areas of the State”.
Referring to the Unstarred LAQ No 002 “ Water Tankers Registered with the Health Department”, Reginaldo pointed out that he had received a reply as “NO” to the point on Whether the tankers supplying water are registered with the Health Department , if so, details thereof.
He has urged the Health Minister to instruct the authorities to get all the water tankers supplying water in the residential areas, across the length and breadth of Goa to be registered at the earliest with the Health Department of Goa.
“This much needed step of registering the Water Tankers with the Health Department will act as a deterrent to the shady operators who are involved in supplying of sewage / hazardous waste. Besides, registration of the water tanker will help in to keep a record on source of the water supplied through these tankers and also provide a platform to the department for periodically testing of the water”, he added.
