Apropos to the news item ‘Vagator club’s manager booked for playing music beyond permissible time’.
It seems the notification issued by Department of Environment and Climate Change Government of Goa is not followed in letter and spirit.
Also, the Pollution Board did not follow the due process of law while registering the complaint under section 15 of Environment Protection Act, 1986.
The complaint against the Club ought to have been filed under Section 19 (b) of EPA, 1986 before the District Magistrate as per direction of High Court of Bombay at Goa as the District Magistrate would be duty bound to take cognizance of the offence under rule 11.
Filing a FIR to register complaint under Section 15 of EPA, 1986 for playing music beyond permissible time and limit before SDPO Mapusa by GSPCB leaves a loophole for the Club’s manager to escape the penalty and seizure of musical equipment and to mislead the High Court.
