Panaji: Severely criticising the Council for its inefficiency, he posed a pertinent question as to what exactly is the role of the Margao Municipal Council. “Wet waste is treated by the Cacora plant, dry waste is managed by an agency in Nesai, Multi level parking facility and renovation of Municipal Building is now the responsibility of the GSUDA, Margao Municipal garden is taken care of by the Forest department and GSIDC; and shockingly now even the budget will be prepared by a private Chartered accountant”, Mr said while pointing out to the fact that MMC is now left with absolutely no work whatsoever.
Mr. Coutinho’s attack on the Council comes after an attempt of the Council to dispose off sanitary waste in very unscientific manner at Sonsodo was exposed. Heaps of sanitary waste comprising of Pads and diapers were being dumped at a spot hardly 3 metres from the neighboring Manovikas high school, and covered with mud.
Congress leader Mr Coutinho charged that the pollution control board has no idea and control over all the mess going on at Sonsodo, and demanded for action against the Council for it’s irresponsible behavior in handling sanitary waste.
Mr. Coutinho further pointed out that for months together this waste has not been taken away to Kundaim for treatment, but lies dumped at Sonsodo. Unconfirmed sources revealed that some unsuccessful underhand dealings was the cause for this waste not being picked up he said.
All that the Margao Municipal Council does is collect hefty sanitation fees from taxpayers, only to be squandered on dubious waste management deals, he added.
A year ago this same Chairperson had dumped waste outside Margao Municipal Council jurisdiction in Benaulim, which had to be lifted back to Margao after the protests from the villagers there. In the bargain the Margao Municipal Council lost lakhs of rupees on transportation of this waste to and fro. “Our elected representatives hardly care about such wasteful expenditures as nothing goes off from their pockets”, Mr Coutinho said.
While demanding for action against the unscientific dumping of sanitary waste, Mr Coutinho called upon the Chairperson to shed some light on this matter if this was not done under his instructions, Mr Coutinho concluded.
