PANAJI: Observing that the issue of black spots appears to have “resurfaced”, the high court of Bombay at Goa has directed the panchayat of Santa Cruz to clear black spots within their jurisdiction within two weeks.
The division bench comprising Justices Mahesh Sonak and Bharati G Dangre directed a joint meeting involving Goa Waste Management Corporation, Goa Legal Services Authority and amicus curiae to “suggest a plan of action”.
The court was told that black spots have resurfaced within the jurisdictions of village panchayats of Merces, Chimbel and Santa Cruz, and counsels for Merces and Chimbel told the court that these would be cleared within a period of two weeks and a report filed.
Since there was no representative or advocate representing the Santa Cruz panchayat in court, the division bench directed the sarpanch and secretary to be present at the next hearing next month.
Advocate Aires Rodrigues offered to assist these panchayats in identifying black spots so that they are cleared urgently.
The court, observing that the parade ground at Campal hasn’t been cleared of all the waste, directed the Goa Waste Management Corporation to complete the process of clearing the waste by January 31. Managing director of Goa Waste Management Corporation submitted to the court that the process of disposal of RDF from the ground will be completed by the date.
The high court, in June last year, had directed CCP to shift the waste out and restore the parade ground to its original status by November end last year so that the ground could be used for the Liberation Day parade.
CCP shifted part of the waste out, but abandoned vehicles, which it had promised to shift to Bainguinim, continue to remain dumped on the ground.
Advocate general Devidas Pangam stated that action will be taken against panchayats which have till date not set up Material Recovery Facilities (MRF).
The court has asked the Goa State Pollution Control Board to place on record the status of 44 hotels that were generating waste beyond certain prescribed limits and which were required to have their own waste composting units.