MARGAO
Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral on Tuesday said the government is contemplating to extend exemption to sound till midnight for the second fortnight of December from the coming calendar year.
Reminding that sound pollution under the Environment Protection Act falls under the domain of the Centre, Cabral said the High Court is presently monitoring the issue on playing loud music beyond the prescribed hours.
Cabral said he has discussed with the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant the issue of sound norms in view of the High Court monitoring the matter. “The Chief Minister is of the opinion that the government should notify the days, beginning from December 15 till New Year, by giving exemption to sound from 10 pm till midnight,” he said. He, however, said the government would notify the relaxation for the coming year in January along with the other days which already enjoys similar relaxation in the sound timings.
When asked to comment on the government’s stand on the sound norms sought to be implemented by the authorities as per the court order, the Environment Minister said the matter is being monitored by the HC.
Meanwhile, all eyes are focused on the High Court which is expected to hear the contempt petition on Wednesday. Sources said the Goa State Pollution Control Board is expected to file its reply in the Court and the action it has taken on monitoring the sound in respect of the open venues.
In the meantime, the stakeholders, including the owners of open air venues are believed to have met in the city here on Tuesday and took stock of the situation in the light of the High Court order. They are believed to have discussed the situation in view of the meeting which was convened by the Deputy Collector, Margao, Uday Prabhudesai on Monday to brief the owners on the sound norms.
As reported by The Goan, organisers of Christmas and New Year dances in Salcete are keeping their fingers crossed with no clarity on the playing of music coming from the government. With the Christmas dances starting only after the midnight Mass, questions are being raised by the stakeholders whether the relaxation of time up to midnight will in any way benefit the organisers.
