Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that sanitary waste as well as chicken and mutton waste will be collected by the government from panchayats across the state for proper treatment.
Speaking at the National Panchayati Raj Day 2026 programme held on Wednesday at Kala Academy, Sawant urged panchayats to ensure proper segregation of waste at the source to improve waste management and maintain cleanliness across Goa.
Referring to the issue of segregation at source, Sawant said that twice a week, the government will arrange for vehicles to collect sanitary waste from every panchayat under bio-medical waste rules.
He also said that arrangement would be made to collect chicken and mutton waste in association with poultry association of Goa. He clarified that no additional tax would be levied on the people or panchayats for this initiative. Sawant said that garbage contractors across Goa will be tracked through GPS from solid waste management plants to ensure accountability and efficiency.
Sawant also directed the village panchayats to withhold permissions for residential projects exceeding 24 flats unless proper sewage treatment plants (STPs) and effluent treatment plants (ETPs) are included. He said that panchayats are now empowered to deny approvals at the initial stage, if these essential plants are missing from project plans.
Sawant called on sarpanchas and panchas to act as vital links between the government and the public, ensuring citizens can access various welfare schemes.
Addressing public health, Sawant said that preventive healthcare is the need of the hour. Under the ‘Health with Ayurveda’ initiative, the government will provide free consultations and Ayurvedic treatment from May 2 to May 31. Sawant said that this state-funded initiative aims to help citizens adopt healthier lifestyles through traditional healthcare practices.
The Chief Minister also addressed the issue of stray cattle, urging panchayats to collaborate with gaushalas and appealing to owners not to abandon their animals on public roads.
Highlighting the digital shift, Sawant said that 254 services are now available via the Goa Online portal. He encouraged “smart” panchayats to prioritise financially sustainable infrastructure over aesthetic beautification projects.
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho said that the state is focused on strengthening digital governance and local infrastructure. He said that over 32 panchayat buildings have been newly constructed or renovated, with more than half of Goa’s 192 panchayats now benefitting from improved facilities and online services. To accelerate developmental works and file clearances, Godinho announced the government’s decision to appoint a technical assistant for every panchayat.
