PANJIM, JAN 5
Guidelines for location of industries on river banks have been framed and are referred to Task Force on Regional Plan, the Government said today.
The guidelines have been drafted by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on the direction of High Court in suo motto writ petition on water.
The Advocate General Subodh Kantak told the Court on Monday that guidelines are now before TF that drafted RP, and along with RP, they are kept open for public response.
Amicus Curiae Norma Alvares however raised apprehension that guidelines may be watered down by industries lobby, and there was no need to refer them to the TF.
However, Advocate General said there should be no apprehensions on this issue.
Eminent architect Charles Correa is on the Task Force besides it has representatives from NGOs and environmentalists, he said.
Adv Alvares also told the Court that there is no restrain on issuing fresh approvals for industries on river banks and urged the Court to issue a direction to GSPCB from issuing any further permissions until guidelines are approved by the government.
The matter was posted for hearing after two weeks as the advocate general told the Court that by next hearing, the government would inform the Court whether the guidelines have been approved or not.
