NGO’s allegation, Margao municipal body ignored court’s instructions on feast fair

Margao: La Fundación Green Goa (GGF) has leveled allegations against the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) and other officials, claiming they have violated Superior Tribunal orders related to the ongoing festival fair in Margao. Raison Almeida, representing the GGF, submitted a complaint before the competent authorities, highlighting non-compliance by the civic body with the directions of the Tribunal Superior as mentioned in the writ petition number 801 of 2010.

The Superior Tribunal had issued specific orders that the MMC comply with certain conditions and steps, but according to the complaint, the civic body has not followed these directions. The complaint claims that non-compliance of judicial orders on the part of MMC shows incompetence in administration.

“The authorities have not followed even a single order of the Superior Tribunal, which is surprising. Here they also reported a fire incident and found that there were no firefighters or emergency services deployed in the area,” Almeida said.

It is alleged that the fair was given permission in violation of rules and 17 instructions were allegedly ignored. The complaint alleges that various instructions related to health and safety measures have been ignored. MMC is also accused of not installing CCTV cameras in the fair in violation of the judicial order.

Additionally, Almeida said the MMC did not ensure proper cleaning of mobile bathrooms, municipal bathrooms and accessible bathrooms every six hours to maintain sanitary conditions. It accuses the civic body of neglecting the cleanliness of the festival grounds and its surroundings as well as not providing separate containers for collection and segregation of waste.

It said the MMC has also reportedly passed a tribunal order to establish a temporary water connection for the supply of potable water.