MMC officials push the buck, claim northern portion of garden is looked after by Forest department
MARGAO
There’s no let-up in the burning of waste at the Margao Municipal garden, even as the Municipal authorities have sought to wash their hands off by pointing fingers at the Forest Department in connection with the gross violation of the NGT guidelines on open waste burning.
If The Goan had highlighted how Margao Municipal workers burn waste after sweeping the roads in the city, waste burning continued unabated in the Margao Municipal garden, right under the nose of the civic authorities. The sprawling Margao Municipal garden is located right in front of the over century-old Margao Municipal building.
While the garden waste in the Municipal garden was disposed of by burning the same in the northern portion of the sprawling garden, the workers now seemed to have changed the timings, by setting the accumulated waste afire at late hours.
Open burning of waste has been found at the northern portion of the Municipal garden around 10 pm, indicating that the garden waste is being set afire at late hours to ward off criticism over waste burning during day time.
When The Goan called up the concerned Margao Municipal officials to shed light on the waste burning right in the Municipal garden, an official pointed out that the northern portion of the Municipal garden is presently under the possession of the Forest Department.
The official pointed out that the Forest Department is looking after the upkeep and maintenance of the northern portion of the garden by employing its workers. “The northern portion of the garden is in the possession of the Forest Department for upkeep and maintenance. Hence, our Municipal workers are in no way connected with the waste burning,” he added.
The official, however, admitted that as the owner of the Municipal garden, the Margao Municipality has not got the Forest Department to sensitise the workers and to put a stop to waste burning, including garden waste. “The Municipality will send a memorandum to the Forest Department to ensure that the workers employed in the municipal garden stop disposal of waste by burning,” he said.
The official, however, had no answer when questioned whether the civic body has conducted any sensitising programme for the field workers, including sweepers, to stop waste burning along the roadsides after sweeping.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board Member Secretary Dr Shamila Monteiro had last week told The Goan that it is incumbent on the Margao Municipal Council to sensitise its workers to stop waste disposal by open burning.
“Sensitisation of the workers is an answer to the issue of waste burning by the Municipal workers. The earlier they are sensitised it’s better for the city,” Monteiro had stated.
