Panjim: Trouble continues to mount for Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, as various government agencies have swung into action against the alleged illegal dumping of waste, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and other hazardous material, generated by its crew, in Nerul village.
However, the Goa-based line producer Dilip Borkar, who had been hired by the production firm, has denied the allegation, that has sparked a major nation-wide controversy.
The incident came to light after residents of Nerul, furious over the foul-smelling garbage, complained to the panchayat. In the clips and photos that went viral on social media, heaps of biomedical waste including PPE kits, masks, sanitary napkins etc, as well as unsegregated garbage and tonnes of plastic waste, were seen dumped in the area.
The NGO Lokhancho Ekvott took up the matter with authorities as how the film shoot by Dharma Productions, helmed by Shakun Batra and starring Deepika Padukone, left garbage around the Nerul area after they packed up.
While the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) has already issued show cause notice to the production firm, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and Directorate of Panchayat have also initiated inquiries, following which necessary action will be taken accordingly.
The ESG in its notice has asked why the film shooting permission granted to the Dharma Production should not be revoked for violation of various guidelines laid down for shooting.
It also added that as per the Directorate of Health Services, all medical gears used for COVID-19 protection must be disposed of using incinerators.
Minister for Waste Management Michael Lobo has sought a public apology from the production house. He also said that notice will be issued to pay required fines for littering public place.
“First of all, the directors or owners should apologise to the people of Goa for doing such a thing. Tender an apology and accept their fault. Everyone is welcome to Goa….you can come and do your film shoot but take your trash away or dispose it properly. You cannot throw garbage on the roadside and cause environment pollution,” he said.
When contacted, the GSPCB member secretary Shamila Monteiro said that it has already conducted the inspection and necessary notice would be served to the unit.
Panchayat Director Narayan Gad also said that a report has been sought from Nerul Panchayat in the matter. “Necessary action would be initiated accordingly,” he added.
Following criticism, the Line Producer Dilip Borkar in a statement issued said that the garbage was disposed off as per the norms of panchayat.
“The garbage was disposed of by a local contractor appointed by the village Panchayat every day. Only on Sunday, he failed to do so, after which the photos went viral,” he said.
