Who is responsible for the rising number of black spots around the Goan countryside where garbage festers? People or their elected representatives?
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday laid the blame on elected representatives. He alleged that several of them have manipulated funds allotted to the panchayats and municipalities for waste management through the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions.
He was speaking at the Stakeholder Engagement Workshop on waste management today.
CORRUPTION IS THE NAME OF THE GAME
“I have seen how they indulge in corruption. Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000 are removed in the name of waste management, but not even Rs 20,000 are actually spent,” he alleged further.
Sawant asserted that the government was ready to provide the money and technical support, but the "panchayats and municipalities will have to take the responsibility of keeping areas under their jurisdiction clean”.
He also asked the stakeholders to act tough against those seen dumping garbage on the roadside and in public places. Question them, fine them and even seize their vehicles if need be, he advised.
CRORES GONE
Pointing out that despite spending crores of rupees on waste management in Goa, the garbage menace is growing at alarming proportions, Sawant appealed to the local self-government bodies to take the issue seriously and responsibly keep areas under their jurisdiction clean and green.
“The Solid Waste Management Corporation alone spends around Rs 160 crore annually on garbage management. In addition to this, municipalities, panchayats and the tourism department also spend funds on garbage management. Despite this the problem persists,” he lamented.
TRANSFER STATIONS
Sawant said that the government was contemplating having transfer stations at garbage black spots across the state where people generally tend to throw their garbage.
