VASCO: Nature has finally got back at Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) after years of violation of environmental laws by the council. In an unprecedented move the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has lodged a cognizable offence against MMC officers for failing to comply with the directives issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Pune bench on May 29, 2014.
The NGT had served a three-month ultimatum to the MMC to put its garbage treatment plant in order at Headland Sada. After this, officers of the state administration, including the then collector Venancio Furtado and others inspected the garbage treatment facilities and ordered for rectification. This didn’t happen and on Thursday the state pollution control board official lodged a complaint against the concerned MMC officials.
“We have received a complaint filed by GSPCB Member Secretary Levinson Martins wherein he has asked us to file an FIR against the chief officer, chairperson and other officials of MMC for failing to comply the directives issued by NGT Pune bench as per common judgement dated in application number 17 (THC) 2013 and thereby violating the provisions as per the Environment Protection Act. Therefore, an offence has been registered against the officials on Wednesday under Section 5 of the act and further investigation is in process,” Mormugao Police Inspector Kapil Nayak said.
Asked whether there will be any arrest in future, Naik said, “The complaint is a cognizable offence and therefore first we will carry out investigation and if needed, we might even arrest the officials.”
