Staff Reporter
Margao
In Salcete taluka, only 10 of 30 panchayats have implemented waste disposal fees for households, with varying rates. Some panchayats, like Cavelossim, began charging the fees as early as 2019, while others started more recently. This initiative follows a government circular that authorised panchayats to collect such fees.
According to Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho’s response to a Legislative Assembly Question, the 10 panchayats in Salcete which currently collect the household waste disposal fees are Camorlim, Sarzora, Rumdamol-Davorlim, Navelim, Aquem Baixo, Ambelim, Carmona, Cavelossim, Chandor-Cavorim, and Guirdolim.
The fees vary, ranging from a minimum of Rs 50 annually per household in Guirdolim to a maximum of Rs 50 monthly in Camorlim. Camorlim also collects wet waste from households.
Sarzora charges Rs 200 annually per household, Navelim Rs 450 (double for commercial properties), and Aquem Baixo Rs 500 for households and Rs 1500 for businesses, Ambelim (Rs 250/year, including shops), Carmona (Rs 200/year), Chandor-Cavorim (Rs 100/year), and Cavelossim (Rs 365/year).
In Rumdamol Davorlim, waste collection, handled by Bapu Organisation, costs Rs 200 per household and Rs 200-500 for businesses.
As per the assembly response, legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco has requested that the Camorlim panchayat take into account the financial circumstances of senior citizens and individuals with limited resources while implementing the waste collection tax.
Contacted regarding the twenty panchayats that have not yet implemented waste disposal fees or collection services, several sarpanches cited significant opposition from members of the gram sabha and the general public. The prevailing sentiment among residents, they indicated, is that the panchayat should bear the costs.
“While some panchayats possess the financial capacity to do so,” one sarpanch said, “Others, particularly those with limited resources, would face considerable difficulties.”
