Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: Margao Congress Block Convener Savio Coutinho has launched a scathing attack on the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), alleging a complete failure in handling the city’s waste management responsibilities. Questioning the relevance of the Council, Coutinho said MMC has been left with virtually no core functions as major civic tasks have been outsourced or handed over to other agencies.
He pointed out that wet waste is treated at the Cacora plant, dry waste is handled by an agency in Nesai, major infrastructure projects are taken over by GSUDA, while the Margao municipal garden is maintained by the Forest Department and GSIDC. “Shockingly, even the municipal budget is now being prepared by a private chartered accountant,” he remarked.
Coutinho’s criticism intensified after an alleged attempt by MMC to dispose of sanitary waste in an unscientific manner at Sonsodo came to light. He claimed that heaps of used sanitary pads and diapers were dumped barely three metres from Manovikas High School and then covered with mud.
The Congress leader accused the Goa State Pollution Control Board of having no oversight on the ongoing mismanagement at Sonsodo and demanded strict action against MMC for its “irresponsible behaviour.” He further alleged that sanitary waste meant to be transported to Kundaim has not been picked up for months and continues to lie dumped at the site. According to unconfirmed sources, he said, failed underhand dealings may have stalled the waste collection.
Coutinho also recalled that a year ago, the same MMC Chairperson had dumped waste in Benaulim—outside municipal jurisdiction—which later had to be transported back after villagers protested, resulting in a loss of several lakhs to the Council.
Demanding immediate action over the latest dumping episode, Coutinho urged the MMC Chairperson to clarify whether the act was carried out under his instructions.
