PANAJI
Residential complexes with 24 flats and above, Gaushalas, party venues and bakery units are among the several categories of establishments directed to seek permission from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to establish and operate, failing which they could be directed to close down.
In a public notice dated October 29, GSPCB Member Secretary Dr Shamila Monteiro has directed several categories of businesses to seek Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.
Dr Monteiro stated that the various categories of businesses which would need GSPCB’s Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate include servicing stations, washing centres, bakery units, laundry, poultry of 5,000 birds and above, flour and rice mills, hotels/guest houses, resorts, motels, banquet halls/open air halls/party venues and marriage halls.
Other categories of businesses include dairy of 15 animals and above, residential complexes with 24 flats and above, piggery with 15 numbers of adult pigs, restaurants, saw mills, Gaushalas, carpentry units and laterite quarries.
“Operation of the units/establishments without the valid Consent and Authorisation of the Goa State Pollution Control Board amounts to violation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, and the Rules under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and shall be liable for issue of closure directions,” stated the notice.
“Those establishments having valid Consent to Operate of the Board are required to display the details of the consent at their respective premises.”
In the same notice, Dr Monteiro also stated that complaints regarding noise pollution should be addressed to the local police as per the Noise Action Plan, notified by the State government.
