PANJIM: Expressing its concern over the failure of the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) and the Margao Municipal Council to initiate concrete steps to prevent unauthorised or discharge of waste water in drains and fields, the High Court of Bombay
at Goa on Monday directed the member secretary of SGPDA to remain present in Court on September 13, along with the necessary information and action plan.
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While hearing a suo motu writ petitions, the Court perused the inspection report along with photographs submitted by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) regarding the SGPDA wholesale and retail fish market and stated that the observations were quite disturbing and alarming.
The GSPCB report stated that even the ETP (effluent treatment plant) was not operational at the time of inspection and that consent to operate had expired. In spite of this, the SGPDA, a public authority was operating.
The Court also issued notice to the Margao Wholesale Fish Market Association to appear through their representative or counsel on September 13.
Meanwhile, St Lawrence (Agasaim) officiating sarpanch Emie Leonora Fernandes filed an affidavit regarding establishment of Material Recovery Facility (MRF). The GSPCB officials will now inspect the site and file its compliance report on or before the next date of hearing.
During the last hearing, the Court had restrained St Lawrence village panchayat from issuing construction licences until it establishes Material Recovery Facility (MRF) facility. The village panchayat was also asked to deposit Rs six lakh in the court Registry.
