Panaji: CM Pramod Sawant on Tuesday warned industries and hotels that their water and electricity connections would be cut if they failed to dispose of their waste scientifically to keep Goa clean and beautiful.
Sawant said state govt has started treating industrial and hotel waste, and if it is treated 100%, Goa would be a clean state. He said govt has begun working on the disposal of major waste, including industrial and hotel waste.
“We need support from the hotel sector and industries for the disposal of waste. Govt can create infrastructure. If industries and hotels start generating waste, govt will not keep quiet,” Sawant said. “Govt will impose fines, shut down units, and even disconnect water and electricity connections, as Goa is a tourism state, and we need to keep Goa clean.”
Sawant warned hotels and industries that if they were found throwing waste in villages, the units would be shut down.
“We try to keep our villages clean, and we are not ready to take industrial and hotel waste in our villages,” he said.
The chief minister said if anyone found signs of dumping, people should file complaints with police, and govt would act. Sawant noted that non-biodegradable plastic is used in Goa and appealed to people to take bags from home while going shopping.
“People should take a pledge that they will not use plastic bags, which will reduce 50% of the waste,” Sawant said. “All health-related problems are because of waste, and we should reduce waste generation.”
The chief minister said govt has set up various waste treatment facilities in the state to treat different types of waste generated.
“All panchayats should launch initiatives to keep their villages clean and beautiful. Panchas should take the initiative and start a campaign to keep their villages clean and beautiful,” Sawant said.
Govt will amend the Goa Panchayat Raj Act and the Goa Municipalities Act to impose huge fines for throwing garbage along roads. Sawant said that even if people have to spend more than Rs 20 for garbage disposal, they will not have any issue.