Panaji (Goa): The proposed garbage treatment plant at Bainguinim has taken a political twist as the City Corporation is at loggerheads with the Goa government. A major section of the ruling Corporators, who are backed by Goa Forward Party’s new joinee Atanasio Monserrate alias Babush are set to walk the steps of their ‘boss’ joining the regional party.
The development is certainly to protest the government’s cabinet decision to take over 1.75 lakh sq mtrs of land from the original possession of Corporation of City of Panjim. “Why is government taking over the land from CCP? Why did it not take the CCP into confidence in the cabinet decision to take possession of the land? The land belongs to CCP and is meant for setting up Bainguinim garbage treatment plant only. The government,” Babush said.
While it is adamant that land would not be given to the government, there are attempts to pressurize the ruling coalition that incidentally also has GFP as its ally. Around 15 Corporators are joining the party after September 24. “This is not the auspicious days. The ruling Corpoators will join GFP after September 24,” he said.
Not even a month ago, during the Panjim by-poll campaigning, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had held a meeting with all the corporators of Panjim – majority of whom included from Babush-backed panel – assuring to leave no stone unturned to develop each ward and held CCP in all ways.
Parrikar had in July asked CCP to hand over the land to the Goa solid waste management corporation, where it proposes to have a plant similar to that of Saligao. He had stated that Bainguinim facility will cater to garbage from municipal areas in North Goa together with waste generated by the city. The facility is proposed to be set up with funds from the Union ministry of urban development along with a contribution from the state government under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
The government in 2006 had issued notification for land acquisition at Bainginium and in 2008, land was awarded measuring 1.75 lakh sq mtrs to CCP.
Team TNV
