House witnesses heated arguements over Illegal Scrap yards across Goa
CM Sawant, Min Monserrate assure formulating policy for scrapyards with 3 months
Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Admitting that illegal scrap yards are operational in the State for over the last two decades, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today told House that the State will draft a scrap yard policy within the next three months to regularize the business.
The assurance came after the opposition benches cornered the government for its inaction.
During the Question Hour, the Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao charged that scrap yard mafia are mushrooming with the blessings of the government with authorities being hand in gloves.
Denying the charges, Sawant said that the government has issued notices to close 380 scrap yards operating illegally.
He said that the policy would be drafted in three months and land would be allotted for setting up scrap yards, mostly in the industrial areas. “These people are operating illegally for the last 20 years. We have initiated a process to take action,” he said.
The chief minister said that the scrap yards operating in the residential areas would be moved out on a priority basis.
The opposition benches including Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai, AAP MLAs Cruz Silva, Venzy Viegas, and Revolutionary Goans Party MLA Viresh Borkar questioned the government over the issue and their failure to take action despite the issue being raised on the Floor of the House on several occasion.
Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserratte said that 380 scrap yards have been issued notices by the state government. He said that once the policy is in place, they would be relocated to a separate land.
He said that Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) will identify the land in all Talukas. The minimum area will be 2000 square meters, said Monserrate.
He also questioned when will the Government take action against the illegal scrap yards which are operating in residential and also in the comunidade lands which is hazardous for the public.
However, Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate replied by saying “We are in the process of formulating policy for the scrapyards”. 380 scrap yards in north and south Goa. The carrying of hazardous material will be taken care of in the Scrapyard policy, assured the minister.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said all scarp yards have been operating for the last 20 to 25 years. They have been served notices by authorities.
