Garbage funds: CCP caught in mess

TNN, Dec 4, 2010,

PANAJI: While Panaji has been gripped by a waste management crisis for over the last three years, information sought under the RTI Act reveals that the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) had received funds of 8 crore for waste management from the state government over the same period. While the opposition corporators in the CCP questioned as to how the funds were used, civic officials replied that most of the funds were used towards land acquisition.

The RTI documents from the directorate of municipal administration (DMA) was availed of by corporator Surendra Furtado, who alleges that the government had given a total budget of 8 crore to the CCP to purchase property for a garbage treatment plant at Bainguinim, near Heera petrol pump at Patto, Taleigao and Dona Paula.

The RTI document states that in February 2006, the government released a grant-in-aid of 16.92 lakh for the construction of composting stations to the CCP.

In May 2006, grant-in-aid of around 17.08 lakh was released towards the purchase of an excavator, and in June 2006, the government released around 54.96 lakh for other purchases to the CCP.

In November 2008, the CCP was yet again granted an amount of 43 lakh towards the acquisition of land for an integrated sanitary landfill and solid waste management site for CCP at Bainguinim.

In June 2009, two separate amounts of around 46.99 lakh and 21.60 lakh were released for land acquisition for setting up of a dry recyclable material sorting centre and compost station, and towards the collection, transportation and disposal of the waste from hotels and restaurants, respectively. "Where has the money been spent?" asked Furtado.

When contacted, CCP commissioner Elvis Gomes said all funds were spent in a diligent manner on specified projects.

Gomes said that the 8 crore received during 2006 and 2009 included a 1 crore grant allotted by the state (to all municipalities) every year.

"Around 4.60 crore was paid towards land acquisition at Bainguinim. Also, 55 lakh and 49 lakh was paid seperately for land acquired at La Marvel Colony, Dona Paula and behind Heera petrol pump opposite the KTC bus stand for garbage treatment," he said.

These amounts were deposited with the EDC and paid to the parties concerned after the award by the collector, he said, adding that another 69 lakh is being spent for the construction of a compound wall at the Bainguinim site.