GFP president Vijai Sardesai with other members at a press conference
Gomantak Times
Goa Forward Party president Vijay Sardesai on Friday took a swipe at the ruling BJP alleged that the BJP is blocking all measures brought on the sonsodo garbage issue.
He said that if the issue of garbage in Sonsodo was not resolved, the BJP would invite serious diseases like plague.
Referring to Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo's remarks that approval of the Sonsodo waste processing project was pending due to inaction by the Urban Development Ministry, Fatorda MLA Sardesai said Lobo had exposed the BJP's mismanagement.
He further accused Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and former Fatorda MLA Damu Naik for making hindrance in the developmental works in Fatorda constituency.
"Chief ministers Pramod Sawant and Damu Naik are the double engine and they are hampering the development of Fatorda. They have created havoc with waste management in Sonsodo," said Sardesai told reporters at a press conference along with Margao Municipal Council (MCC) Chairperson Lyndon Pereira and other party workers.
He also said that the Margao Municipal Corporation had made a "request for proposal" to set up two bio-methanation plants with 25 TPD power generation at Sonsodo dump yard.
However, despite the companies willing to participate, and an expert committee headed by Padma Shri Sharad. P Kale inspected the site on December 11, it has not yet received approval from the government.
"Margao Municipal Corporation is not asking for money from the government, it is using money from the funds of 14th Finance Commission. The municipality only needs approval, but it is not given by the government. Therefore, it is clear that the BJP is not ready to take any action in the constituency where there are opposition MLAs," Sardesai alleged.
Sardesai urged the government to resolve the issue of Sonsodo so that the people of Margao, Fatorda and Cortalim can get immediate relief. .
He also mocked Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral, who suggested disposing of waste in urban forests, saying that Cabral had killed one lakh trees at Mollem. “Urban forests are essential for people living in cities. I know its importance," he said.
Sardesai said a notice has been sent to the concerned department regarding the delay in development work in Fatorda and if the work in the public interest is not started, he will take the matter to court.