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Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660
Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/
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Illegal scrap yards in Goa
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It is my feeling that the problem posed by the mushrooming
of illegal scrap yards in Goa (there are over 200, I am told)
has not found sufficient echo in the local press. It is truly a
scourge upon us, as bad, or worse, than the one posed by
the garbage menace, and the infamous TCP ordinance
legalizing illegalities.
I suppose, it is only when something of catastrophic proportions
takes place, like it happened in Mapusa, that people open their
eyes, but even then it is all soon forgotten and buried beneath
the rubble.
I protested some time ago when one such illegal scrap yard
(graveyard?) raised its ugly head in the heart of a residential area
in Manora, Raia, Salcete. The modus operandi is always the same.
Panchayat grants license for a residential plot. Compound wall is
erected in a few days, which blocks the view from the sides; then
a huge door shuts the view from the front. (The rule restricting
the height of the compound wall to 1.5 m. is flouted with impunity).
Inside, all clandestine activities go on the burning of tyres,
sorting of scrap, lighting of fires.
Nothing acts as a curb as the panchayat members are well looked
after. Around the place, illegally taken over, an entire new colony
of migrants and moneychangers raises its ugly head, totally
changing the ethnography and the demography of the place.
Pari passu, it leaves a potential time bomb, loaded with toxic
material in the heart of an otherwise peaceful area, ready to
explode any time.
The residents of Manora went some time ago to complain to
their MLA, Mr. Sardinha. There were promises and promises.
They also went to Governor Jamir, and more promises were made,
but to this day everything remains the same.
Reliable sources within the Congress PCC, who wish to remain
anonymous, told me that fairly recently, following strong pressure
from Congress stalwarts, the Urban Development Minister
(and his lieutenant general) issued orders for immediate closure
of all scrap yards. And this was implemented effectively with the
help of police, but the clampdown unfortunately lasted only for
four days. Then, on the fifth, it was business as usual. What
happened in the interim?
Are we to believe what the scrapwallahs themselves have been
saying: that it took them four days to amass two crores by way of
bribes? I am not willing to give credence to these rumours even for
a while. But the honourable and most respected Urban Development
Minister, and his second-in-command, should institute an enquiry
without delay, to find out what exactly happened.
Will they please provide answers to the public? I also request the
UD Minister to come out with a white paper on these graveyards
(sorry, scrap yards).
Dr. Francisco Colaco, Margao
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HERALD 27/10/05 page 8
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GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE
Documentation + Education + Solidarity
11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507
Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
website: www.goadesc.org
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Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy
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