VALPOI
The Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC) has decided to increase annual garbage collection fees from Rs 300 to Rs 540, prompting angry reactions from residents in the town.VMC Chairperson Sehzeen Shaikh has claimed that this increase in annual garbage fees has been enforced as per the rules of the urban development department.
As soon as news spread that the VMC had increased annual garbage collection fees by Rs 240, residents voiced their displeasure and said the hike was unwarranted.
When contacted, VMC Chairperson Sehzeen Shaikh said the increase in annual garbage charges has been as per directives of the urban development department and the VMC had not taken any special decision in this regard.
“No one should blame the VMC for this hike in fees. The VMC is making efforts to make the municipality a clean area," he said, adding that special workers have been appointed for this purpose.
“Work to collect garbage from door-to-door has been initiated since the last three years, but some residents have still not cooperated with the VMC. Some people throw their garbage into the drains and this has not only blocked the flow of water, the waste goes into the river and causes pollution.”
“Recently, a number of roads were flooded in Valpoi town on two occasions and one of the main causes of this are drains blocked due to garbage,” said the VMC chairperson.
Councillor Ramdas Shirodkar appealed to people to cooperate with the VMC to ensure cleanliness in the Valpoi municipality.
“Many shopkeepers doing business in the municipal area throw their waste directly on the streets. This is really unfortunate. If the waste generated in the shops is kept together, the municipal workers collect this garbage and this will reduce the amount of garbage thrown in the open. We request shopkeepers to cooperate with the VMC in this regard,” said Shirodkar.
