NT NETWORK
VELIM
Minister for Panchayats Rajendra Arlekar Monday said that every village panchayat in the state should have an independent garbage disposal plant and that the government is revamping the Rural Garbage Disposal Scheme 2005, which has evoked poor response.
Speaking to reporters, Arlekar said that the department of science and technology is currently working on modalities to see that every village panchayat has a garbage treatment plant. He said that the government is also working to make it possible for every village panchayat to have smaller treatment plants.
Replying to a question, the minister said it is well within the ambit of the government to ensure that village panchayats have smaller garbage treatment plants. “We have identified a few panchayats,” he said adding that there is no direction from the High Court. He said that the government is working on modifying the rural garbage disposal scheme so that it becomes more effective.
Arlerkar, who also holds the Forests and Environment portfolio, said that the department of science and technology and the Goa State Pollution Control Board are closely monitoring pollution in River Sal to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 incident which had led to a decimation of clams (tisreo) in the river. He said although nothing much has been done since the decimation, the two departments are, however, constantly monitoring the situation.
Earlier in the day, after inaugurating the new block of the Velim panchayat, Arlekar said that every village panchayat will be given Rs 2.5 crore by the Centre for development of the village and that the villages have to prepare development plans. He also announced that the Assolna panchayat will soon be taken up for construction under the Deendayal Rural Infrastructure Development Scheme and that Velim constituency will have two panchayats being built under the scheme after Sarzora panchayat. Stating that the government is now providing Rs two crore from the earlier Rs 1.5 crore under the scheme, he called upon the villagers to identify land for a project, which will be beneficial to the village and asked them to submit it to the government. He assured that the project will be approved immediately in the interest of the village.
On the issue of full-time secretary, the minister said the process of appointing new secretaries is nearly complete and the allotment of secretaries will be carried out by month-end.
Speaking at the function, local MLA Benjamin Silva said that development is a continuous process and administrative works take time. “However, results are to be seen,” he said adding that he supported the BJP-led government only to bring about development in the village.
