Ponda Scan Issue3

www.digitalgoa.com/margao Margao RNI Number - Applied for Margao 1- 15 April, 2015 Garbage-free Margao A distant dream By Digital Goa Team M argao, the commercial capital of Goa, was once known for its grandeur and the people of the city were known for their civic sense. Today that prestigious reputation of With the objective of making Margao Clean & Green , the Margao Municipal Council started its prestigious and much talked about door to door waste collection system in August last year. The idea was to collect the segregated waste and zeal. But 8 months after the commencement of the initiative we are constrained to say that the dream of ‘Clean and Green Margao’ has completely been shattered. As of now, the garbage collection system has al- Margao Fish market surroundings littered with plastic the city has taken severe beating thanks to self centered city fathers and unconcerned citizens. Once upon a time the city which was known for its civic values is now known as the city of garbage and stink. If one visits the main market of the city, one can see the piles of garbage. Even the lanes which are hardly 200 meters from the Municipal building are saturated with garbage and unbearable stench. at source, that is right at the households. To encourage citizens Municipality even took to the initiative of distributing dustbins. Two separate dustbins were given to each household to segregate the waste into wet and dry. Ironically, dustbins of the city were removed to make Margao a ‘DUSTBINS FREE CITY’. At that time, the citizens also welcomed the move of the civic body with great enthusiasm most come to a standstill. And the most unfortunate part is instead of making efforts to put things in place the city fathers are busy passing the buck. The Chief Officer Navin S. L. blames the councilors and the councilors blame the chief officer. Digital Goa team conducted a survey of the garbage collection system to understand reasons for the failure of garbage collection. The survey revealed that the collection system works smoothly only in 2 wards out of 20 wards of the city. One of these wards is Madell Ward represented by MMC chairperson Gonzak Rebello. Further probing revealed that the smooth functioning of the system is due to garbage collection being carried out by the Municipal workers and not by the self help Groups. And the second ward in which garbage collection is done regularly is the Coll Morod Ward. Here again the smooth functioning of the system is attributed to personal monitoring by former MMC chairperson, Savio Coutinho and his Councilor wife, Pratima Coutinho. In other wards the collection system is left at the mercy of the untrained workers engaged by the SHG`s. For instance, in the Housing Board area, for last eight days the garbage is not being lifted. (Continued on Page 2)  Vol. I  Issue No. 1 Fortnightly Price Rs. 5/-  Editorial It giv me immense leasure to lace before you the inaugural iue of Digital Goa’s Margao Newsletter. Margao is just not a commercial capital of Goa or administrative headquarters of South Goa distri but this city has an identity and distinct culture of its own. Digital Goa is not new to the people of Margao. Our SMS news service has been oleheartedly patronised by Madgaokars like other parts of Goa for last 10 years. Having tablished our credibility, consistency, objeivity and impartiality during Digital Goa’s 13 years of dedicated service to the people of Goa, we have dided to bring out a seri of city centric newsletters in Goa. The objeive is to highlight civic iu and at the same time provide useful, hands on information to the citizens. The first in the seri of city newsletters was brought out from Ponda 6 months back. Digital Goa’s Ponda newsletter has already carved a lace for itself in the hearts of Phondekars within a short span of time, thanks to the people centric iu that are highlighted and the useful information finding lace in the paper. Very soon Digital Goa will bring out newsletters in other towns of Goa as well. Margao is one of the most vibrant, colourful citi of Goa. Margao ( erstwhile Mathgram) had been a centre of learning since time immemorial. Margao has produced great personaliti o acquired name and fame not only at state level but also at national and international level. However, today’s state of affairs in the city of Margao are not so encouraging. Margao definitely derv better treatment. Instead of gting into a blame game, l us togher chart out a new road map for Margao that will give this culturally rich city its lost glory. Digital Goa- Margao will be more than hay to lay a role of catalyst in this noble endeavor. It is our privilege to serve the people of Margao through this publication. I ure you that this paper will always highlight real iu faced by the people. This is your paper and we look forward to your feedback and sutions. Viva Margao! Niraj Naik