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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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Garbage disposal raises a stink in Calangute
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The prolonged failure of state governments to satisfactorily address
the garbage disposal problem in Goa is now reflecting in the busy
tourism belt of Calangute.
Recently, a section of villagers from Saligao prevented garbage trucks
from passing through Saligao on their way to the Calangute hill where
the Calangute panchayat has been dumping its garbage since 1994.
The problem reached a flashpoint on April 17 when a group of Saligao
villagers, led by Saligao panch member, Mr Roland D'souza, waylaid
one of the garbage trucks and allegedly assaulted the truck driver
and helpers.
Following another similar altercation, yesterday evening, Calangute police
registered offences against Mr D'souza and others for unlawful assembly,
wrongful restraint, assault and for threatening.
The Calangute police inspector, Mr Nolasco Raposo said these are
cognisable offences and investigations are in progress. Yesterday evening's
fracas almost turned ugly as angry crowds from both villages gathered
at the disputed site at Saligao. It took the police top brass to calm things
down.
The Bardez sub-divisional magistrate, Mr Rajendra Satardekar negotiated
a settlement between Calangute sarpanch, Mr Joseph Sequeira and the
Saligao panch, Mr D'souza along with their two associates at the Calangute
police station.
So why the sudden blockade now? Mr Sequeira alleged that Mr D'souza
wants to divert the Saligao public's attention from the recent issue of the
construction near the Salmona spring, which he supports and the Saligao
public is opposing.
When approached for his comment, Mr D'souza denied the above allegation.
He said that the garbage is not transported properly resulting in some of it
falling on the roadside in Saligao causing a foul smell in the area.He denied
he and his group had beat up the garbage truck driver and added that he has
no problem with the garbage trucks passing through Saligao provided that
all conditions stipulated in the High Court order are met.
The High Court order was issued in July 2003 when the Saligao Civic and
Consumer Cell and an NGO filed a writ petition regarding garbage disposal
in the state. But the Calangute Sarpanch said that the village panchayats
of Calangute and Saligao were both respondents in that petition and that
Mr Dsouza should not take the law in his own hands.
Talking to The Navhind Times, the Calangute Sarpanch Mr Joseph Sequeira
expressed surprise and indignation over the events. "If we are not given the
right to pass through Saligao, why should we allow them to take up
employment in Calangute?" he asked, pointing to the number of Saligao
persons running restaurants, taxis, laundries and other businesses in
Calangute. "We are dumping our garbage in our village, not theirs.
There is a growing feeling among Calangutkars that we should not allow
them to enter Calangute," said Mr Sequeira.
Interestingly, Mr Sequeira today lodged a police complaint against one
Saligao restaurateur, who runs a Chinese eatery along the CHOGM road
for dumping his garbage near the Calangute church last night. "He regularly
throws his garbage in the drain (vall) on the Boa Viagem road. We were
patrolling our streets last night and almost caught him. People like these
from the neighbouring villages are dumping their garbage in Calangute
because they know we collect and dispose it," he alleged.
The Calangute panchayat will now employ private security staff to man
all the main garbage collection points in Calangute to check which
vehicles dump their garbage there in the nights. Two security persons
will also be placed at the present dumping site on the Calangute hill,
which Mr Sequeira said the panchayat has been using since 1994.
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The Navhind Times 24/04/05
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GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK
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an initiative of GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE
to promote civic and consumer rights in Goa
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GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507
Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
website: www.goacan.org
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