PANJIM: The North Goa Collector has revoked the no objection certificate (NOC) granted to a petrol pump at Siolim since it was located within 50-metre radius of the school, with immediate effect.
No permission should be given to build petrol pumps within 50-m radial distance of schools in the State, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has said.
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The District Magistrate rescinded the NOC acting on a petition filed by Gregory D’Souza, Chairperson, Village Panchayat Child Committee, Siolim-Marna panchayat, that alleged setting up of a petrol pump within 50-metres of the Keerti Vidyalaya, Siolim.
The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights also pursued the matter with various bodies involved in granting the NOC by the North Goa district administration.
Under Section 31 of the Right To Education (RTE) Act, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights is responsible for monitoring the provisions of the Act and its functions, which includes safety and security of the children.
The North Goa District Magistrate has now issued an order stating that the no objection certificate (NOC) granted to a petrol pump at Siolim stands rescinded with immediate effect.
Child Rights panel chief Peter F Borges said that as per the circular issued by the Central Pollution Control Board vide memorandum dated January 7, 2020 for setting up of new petrol pumps in compliance with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order dated January 18, 2019, petrol pumps should not be allowed within 50-metre radial distance of schools and hospitals.
If at all a petrol pump had to be set up within 50-metre owing to some exigency, local bodies should ensure that safety guidelines stipulated by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation were being strictly followed. However, on no account should the pump be located within 30-metre radial distance from the school.
Meanwhile, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has written to the member secretary of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to issue orders appending the copy of the memorandum to all the local bodies to ensure compliance with these safety guidelines before giving permission for setting up petrol pumps.
