Burning plastic waste and waste dumped in water bodies welcomed officials of the Goa State pollution Control Board (GSPCB) as they descended on Benaulim village to verify the mechanism put in place to solve the plastic menace. The inspection held at the request of a local NGO Benaulim Civic and Social Forum, brought to the fore questions whether the local panchayat has been able to solve the dry waste menace plaguing the coastal village. While the GSPCB officials maintained that they would submit a detailed report of the inspection to the Board, Benaulim Civic and Social Forum member Jose Rodrigues told the media that the local panchayat had submitted a false report to the pollution board that the plastic menace stands solved in the village. “The ban on construction activity imposed by the High Court on August 11, 2010 was partially lifted after the panchayat submitted a report that the problem relating to plastic waste is solved. But, the ground reality is totally different. We have been told by the panchayat that only 300 houses have been covered by the dry waste collection when Benaulim has over 6000 residential houses,” Jose said. “Today, we have shown to the GSPCB teams certain sites where the dry waste is being burnt on a daily basis. Plastic and other waste has found its way in the water bodies, contaminating the ground water table,” he said, adding that the Pollution Control Board should also take cognisance of the nuisance posed to visitors, including foreigners to the post office, on account of the waste segregation in the vicinity.