AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
ANJUNA: Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) member secretary Shamila Monteiro’s claim that live noise monitoring systems have to be installed only in residential areas and places where too many complaints have been logged, has been literally rubbished by Advocate Nigel da Costa Frias, Amicus Curiae for long term prevention and regulation of noise pollution , crusaders against noise poise pollution and villagers trying to live normal lives.
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“The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court has not said anything like that. They have said the live noise monitoring system has to be put outside all restaurants and establishments that are playing music,” shot back advocate Nigel da Costa Frias, the Amicus Curiae appointed by the High Court.
The Amicus Curiae couldn’t not have been more explicit. There is no cherry picking allowed. Anyone playing music, has to have a live noise monitoring system, and not just unite in residential areas or in places where too many complaints have been lodged.
“The secretary of the GSPCB has constantly been trying to deceitfully help perpetrators of noise pollution crime by beating around the bush with vague statements. The High Court is clear that permissions should be granted only to units that have live noise monitoring systems,” insisted Desmond Alvares, who is fighting a contempt petition in the High Court.
Monteiro’s statement came after GSPCB scientific assistant Chaitanya Salgaonkar had in the presence of South Goa Member of Parliament Viriato Fernandes stated at Anjuna Police Station, “apart from the amendments already served to thirty-two units to install live noise monitoring systems, amendments have been sent to another four hundred units and details will be presented to the High Court.”
The next hearing of all petitions related to noise pollution is slated for August 19, 2024.
“It is the GSPCB, through their advocate, that is trying to play with time to push the implementation so as to assuage the people who are playing loud music day and night along the northern coastal belt,” believes Alvares.
“I am not shocked by her (Shamila Monteiro’s) statement. Who will be providing the department the number of cases filed? If one goes to the police station, no cases are filed. If they are, just few cases are booked when around fifty places are breaking the rules,” said an amused Rajesh Sinary, who crusades for peaceful living through the High Court.
“Is she trying to change High Court strictures,” questions Sinary.
“Monteiro’s subordinate made a statement that they are going to submit a list to the High Court that four hundred units have been sent or are going to be sent amendments demanding that they use live noise monitoring systems. But the secretary is telling another story, making us wonder who is actually running GSPCB,” wondered Roysal D’Souza, another successful petitioner related to noise pollution from Anjuna.
“As a woman, I expected her to feel our pain, the suffering of our children and the elderly of our villages and do the needful, right the wrong, instead of waiting for the High Court. This is another sad reality I have come to know in our battle to restore our sanity broken by people for whom humanity means making money at all costs,” concludes Janie Crasto from Vagator who has been fighting a battle to make life easier for her young differently-abled son.
