MARGAO: Asserting that unhygienic conditions prevail at Ms Seahath canning company located at the Nessai Industrial Estate at Sao Jose de Areal, Goa State Pollution Control Board has directed closure of the unit within seven days till such time the effluent treatment plant is modified and repaired to the satisfaction of the Board.
GSPCB Member Secretary Levinson Martins has threatened to initiate stringent action against the unit if the company fails to comply with the directions under the provisions of the Water Act. Martins contended that operating the unit in the absence of an effective ETP amounts to gross violation of the conditions contained in the consent to operate order, thereby causing environmental pollution in the vicinity and water pollution in particular. During inspection of the unit following a complaint lodged by President of the Scheduled Tribes Association, Sao Jose de Areal, it was observed that the ETP of the unit was not in operation and that a pump was installed to empty the collection tank of the ETP into septic tank of another unit.
Saying there was a possible leakage from the ETP tanks to the adjacent drains, the inspection noted that fish waste was kept in the open, with waste water flowing in the surrounding areas.
