The Goa Pollution control Board, has perhaps sent possibly the most tangible signal to any corporate or industrial giant, that we still have authorities with teeth. But having done that, the GSPCB has brought upon itself an even greater responsibility, never to go soft in its approach to such giants with its decision to revoke the consent to operate to South West Port Ltd (SWPL). SWPL, a company owned by infrastructure giant JSW, faced suspension of its coal handling facility at Berths number 5A and 6A at Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) with immediate effect.
In one stroke, the bottom line of the argument of the people of Vasco, and most right thinking people of Goa, that coal transportation of these giants did not only cause pollution but the volume of transportation was alarming enough to raise red flags about further increase in pollution not just in Vasco and all along the route of the coal transportation.
This is a fact which is beyond debate. A counter to this which pushes the line that coal needs to be transported to feed power plants will be a damp squib because the infrastructure argument cannot win over the human aspect of the very real apprehension of increased pollution due to increased transportation.
SWPL’s response to the GSPCB’s notice before the revocation of the consent to operate that it did not have scientific data indicating that such excess handling would have an adverse impact on the environment, cannot pass muster. The MPT knew that excess coal was being handled. It failed in its duty not only to stop the excess coal being handled but to categorically communicate to SWPL that this would have an impact on environment. This reply of SWPL indicates that it is almost trying to justify excess coal handling, since there was not enough data to indicate that it affected environment. It should have been clear to them that they could have handled more than permissible limits. That constitutes a violation, with or without any data.
And SWPL did not overshoot the limit slightly. The figures should leave no one in doubt that they literally abused the permissible limits with absolute arrogance. Against a limit of 4.125 million tonnes of coal, SWPL handled 10.112 million tonnes of coal which is more than double the permissible limit. This is not an accidental flaw. It’s a deliberate and direct defiance
SWPL’s second argument that company has paid Rs 6210 crore to the Central and State governments in the form of various taxes and duties during the last financial year of 2016-17, is nothing short of amusing. Since when does the payment of taxes make any company immune from action for gross violations, identified by authorities like the pollution control board?
And then look at the third defence of the company. It said that coke is transported to Bellary for the steel industries. “Stoppage would adversely affect the steel industry and locals. It will also result into severe loss to railways and MPT,” it stated. So there we have it. The transportation of coal had everything to do with the steel industries in Bellary in Karnataka, by polluting Goan towns and villages. SWPL is handling coal in Goa, transporting it through Goa, polluting Goa and it is worried about how the stoppage of its activities would affect MPT and locals. Which “locals” are they referring to? Will any right thinking “local” in Goa ever support coal pollution? ‘Locals’ in Karnataka working in the steel industry may have reason to complain, but that honestly is Karnataka’s problem not Goa’s.
SWPL has, however, been granted 15 days to transport the existing cargo lying at the two berths. The GSPCB should not have allowed SWPL the 15 days to handle existing cargo. If there is a clear violation and evidence of excess handling, the existing cargo should have been seized to recover some of the excess cargo handled. GSPCB needs to be accountable for this decision and Goa needs a justification for giving SWPL this window of relief and opportunity.
BJP MLAs have already started taking political capital. Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida on Tuesday said “Don’t play with the lives of people of Vasco and Goans’ as Government won’t tolerate”. While this is expected to be melodious to those who have been fighting against coal pollution, the MLAs of Vasco have clearly not been in the forefront of the people’s agitation against coal pollution. It is only after the GSPCB’s decision to withdraw the consent to operate to SWPL that it is all to convenient for Mormugao MLAs to up the ante and show themselves on the side of the people. They must realise and admit that no action of theirs has forced their government to take a strong stand on SWPL. The Chief Minister however has , to be fair, maintained a consistent line as far as not allowing SWPL and the Adanis to continue operations without addressing the pollution issue.
The tone of no compromise on pollution should be maintained and done so with extreme firmness. GSPCB should announce rapidly its next course of action against SWPL which should include heavy fines and stoppage of other projects and related activity till SWPL (and MPT) are meant to pay for their actions,
