MARGAO, JULY 17

We all learn from experience

Inspection of a mega housing project in Grande-Vanelilm in Colva has revealed that a well shown on the survey plan has ceased to exist on the ground, while storm water drain leading to a water pond stands filled up with mud. What's more, the inspection report read out by Panchayat Secretary, Rajendra Naik in the presence of Sarpanch Suzie Fernandes revealed that land filling has taken place, including the filling up of a ghairo (cowdung pond). The inspection was conducted as per last Sunday's gram Sabha meeting following a complaint lodged by Reena Fernandes and Menino Fernandes.

Office of the Executive Engineer, Works Division XXI (PHE), PWD, Fatorda has invited applications from the residents of Vasco at the localities wherever sewerage network is provided to avail the facility to get connected to the sewerage system under the "Subsidized Sewerage Connection Scheme'.

The Citizens Welfare Committee has won the first round of battle against the South Goa Planning and Development Authority when the PDA handed over copy of the Outline Development Plan (ODP) for Margao to the activists. The plan, however, cost the CWC around Rs 1500

If the avowed objective of the proposal to cap the Sonsodo garbage dumpyard with tarpaulin was to arrest seepage of rain water into the waste, tonnes of waste continues to be exposed to rains at the site till date. For, the Margao Civic body is still in the process of opening up the tender and issuing work orders to cap the waste with tarpaulin sheets, notwithstanding that the 35,000 tonnes of waste is already soaked with rain water. It is learnt that the delay was caused due to lack of interest shown by JCB machine operators by staying away from the tender.

A half-day workshop on "Facilitating Door to Door Collection of Segregated Waste' was conducted at Hotel Woodlands, Margao on Thursday, to coincide with "World Environment Day' by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Western Regional Centre in Goa. The interactive workshop was designed to sensitize members of Margao Municipal Council to develop a strategy for door-to-door collection of segregated waste in Margao. The workshop was attended the councilors and the staff associated with waste management.

Two months down the line and Goan unemployed youths may still be waiting for a guaranteed job under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. But, introduced in April last, the Rural Development Agencies of both North and South districts are putting in place the logistics required to ensure the scheme takes off without much difficulty.

A plastic-free Margao. That's what the Margao Civic body has set out late last year by banning sale of plastic bags in the Commercial capital. Sadly, after repeated failed deadlines, the ban has now been confined to the Civic record books, thanks to the change of guard in the Civic body and the lack of enthusiasm by the Civic babus. It was with great fanfare that then Chief Officer, N D Agrawal ably supported by the Chairperson, Johnson Fernandes announced a ban on the sale of plastic bags across the city from Goa Liberation Day on December 19.

Agitated residents of Kalem on Monday asked district Collector, G P Naik to initiate action against a sponge iron plant for alleged pollution. The residents warned to take the law in their own hands if the government fails to intervene and redress the grievances of the people of Kalem. Black-colour dust, which the residents claim is polluting the houses of the people of Kalem was kept before the Collector for his attention and action.

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