It has been reported that some industrial units in Cuncolim have sunk bore wells to discharge untreated effluents into the ground,
thereby polluting the ground water, an act which will cause irreparable damage to the groundwater.
Apparently, the bore wells were cleverly concealed under pavers and concrete slabs, which indicates that this is is a well thought out, planned violation of ground water and anti pollution rules.
Apparently, some of the units were able to obtain a court stay, blocking further investigation by the enforcement authorities, which could be construed as an admission of guilt. Why else would the units wish to block the investigations, if they were innocent and had nothing to hide?
While some of the illegal bore wells were detected, many more are believed to exist and await exposure.
Should not the government have the guts and courage to invoke all the possible environmental laws, seal the units, cancel their licences, as an exemplary punishment for having scant respect for the government, the law, the lives and safety of the people and the citizens.
Is this not the only way for government to discourage other units from indulging in such violations of the environmental laws.
Is this not what governments, who take law enforcement seriously, do throughout the world?
ROSARIO MENEZES, Vasco
