Say attempts being made to clear garbage and clean up area before
the Pollution Control Board site inspection
MARGAO
Ahead of the inspection of the Cuncolim waste treatment plant by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on November 27 morning, the plant site witnessed a flurry of activity on Saturday.
Opposition councillors comprising of former chairperson Lavita Mascarenhas, Ashok Fadte and Anjela descended at the treatment plant site on Saturday morning to verify reports that attempts were being made to lift away the waste and clean up the area before the site is inspected by the GSPCB team on Monday.
Moments later, ruling councillor Mario Moraes made his presence felt at the site, followed by Chairperson Polita Carneiro and others on Saturday morning.
While Lavita and Fadte claimed that attempts have been made to lift the waste out of the site, Mario denied the allegations, saying that only the segregated waste comprising of plastic and bottles is being taken out of the plant site.
"When we reached the site in the morning, we came across a person trying to lift the waste out. When we questioned him, he said he has the permission to lift the waste from the Chief Officer. However, he failed to produce the necessary permission to do the job," Lavita and Fadte told The Goan.
They pointed out that they only questioned the person to produce the permission from the Municipality to lift away the waste. The duo also pointed out that the opposition councillors have not been taken into confidence on the activities at the treatment plant site. "When we questioned Mario over the ongoing work at the plant site, he said that trees will be planted around the entire area without any funds from the civic body," Lavita added.
Mario, however, clarified that only segregated plastic waste and bottles is being cleared from the treatment plant. "I find no wrong if the dry waste is being lifted away. It has got nothing to do with the GSPCB inspection scheduled on Monday," Mario said, adding that saplings will be planted around the plant site without any financial burden to the civic body.
He also promised to clear the waste mound at the plant within a period of 10 days.
