Goemkaponn Desk
PANAJI: The state government has informed the High Court of Bombay at Goa that about 57 panchayats have complied with and about 134
which have not complied with the directions for setting up MRF and composting facilities.
The HC had appointed a committee which was headed by Goa Waste Management Corporation Managing Director to foresee into the issue of compliances of setting up of the MRF and other composting facilities.
The affidavits/report filed before the court indicate that there are about 57 Panchayats which have complied with and about 134 Panchayats which have not complied with the directions for setting up MRF and composting facilities. The affidavits also indicate that the Goa State Pollution Control Board has imposed a meagre fine of 5000/- on the non compliant Panchayats.
Further, only about 93 Panchayats have paid this fine amount and the balance Panchayats have applied for waiver.
The HC stated that the Committee should submit its preliminary report to bench on or before 9h March, 2021.
” It is expected that the Committee verifies whether the MRF and composting facilities have been actually set up by the Village Panchayats who claim that they have set up these facilities or in any case the status of the construction, the HC order stated
The matter will be taken up on 16 March, 2021 after the copy of such report 9 March, 2021.
“This is a case where the Panchayars have failed to perform their statutory duties as also the directions issued by this Court. Therefore, we cannot imagine the ground on which such waivers are applied for. According to us, such fine amount in fact required to be paid by the Sarpanchas of these Panchayats because, ultimately, they are responsible for compliance with the statutory duties as also the Court orders. If ultimately, it is found that the Sarpanchas were not personally responsible, leave can always be granted to the Sarpanchas to recover such fine amount from the Panchayat funds,” the HC said
Therefore, the HC said that in case of non compliant Panchayats who have till now have not paid fine to the GSPCB, we direct that the Sarpanchas shall personally pay this fine amount of 75000/- in the first place.
“If ultimately, it is found that the Sarpanchas were no responsible for non compliance then the suitable orders cat. 5/9 passed for permitting to recover this amount from the Panchayat funds,” HC said
