SCRAPYARDS ARE STILL BLOOMING IN FULL TRADE AT PONDA AS GOVT. SLEEPS

PONDA: The government’s scheme for scarpyards - Goa Waste (Scrap) Recycling Unit Scheme, 2010 formulated in April 2010, for the orderly establishment of waste (scrap) recycling units, has put a smile on the faces of the owners of mushrooming scrapyards in the state.

The reason for this is that the government is dragging its feet on acquiring the separate land (trade zones) for the purpose as specified in the scheme.  In the meantime, the scrapyard owners continue with their activities, even though villagers and residents cry foul.

Sources informed that in the last eight months, the government (department of Industries and Goa Industrial Development Corporation) has failed to identify any land for relocating these scarpyards. The scheme says that within two years time, such trade zones should be identified by the GIDC.

Sources pointed out as to how such trade zones can be identified and established in just two years as the normal land acquisition process takes three years. A source in the land acquisition office said, “If the land has to be acquired in two years then Section 4 has to be used. It is difficult to acquire land under Section 4 (urgent) as answers to various questions posed by the courts have to be answered. Secondly, time has to be given to objections and suggestion. The whole process cannot be completed in two years.”

The applicants, almost all the scrapyard owners, have registered for the benefits under the scheme and continue to carry on their activities in residential areas, even though the residents have complained of nuisance.

As per the scheme, all applications have to be addressed to the director of Industries, which will be then referred to the joint committee, the chairman of which is the District Magistrate and Sub-Divisional Magistrate of the taluka.

The members consist of sarpanch of the village panchayats, chief officers, SDPO, DySP, fire station officer in-charge, representatives of health department, Town and Country Planning, Labour and Employment, GIDC and Goa State Pollution Control Board. The convenor is the directorate of industries.

The committee scrutinises the applications and within a period of three months, conveys its decision to the director of industries to issue certificate of registration, upon payment of the necessary fee. The registered persons are then eligible for the land in the trade zones. However, this said land is yet to be identified by the government.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Ponda, Mr Jayant Tari, who is the chairman of the joint committee, on Wednesday, informed that 46 scrapyard owners and recycling unit operators from Ponda taluka areas have applied for benefits under the said scheme.

He noted that among the applicants is one scarpyard owner from Dhavli-Ponda, whose scarpyard was sealed in 2009, for operating illegally. Interestingly, this scrap yard was opened on November 30, 2010, to complete the formalities including the inspections by the joint committee, to check its feasibility in connection with the new scheme.

A source, however, pointed that the said yard is seen open during the nights and wondered whether inspections are conducted after office hours. The source also pointed to another couple of scarpyards which allegedly were seen open, even though the authorities have reportedly sealed them.

When asked to comment on how long it takes to complete inspections and other formalities, Mr Tari said “All formalities have to be completed in the shortest possible time. We will pay a surprise visit at these yards which are reportedly open during the nights.”