The emergence of tar balls on local beaches has seen people running around like headless chickens. Is this the first incidence of tar balls on beaches? No, yet we cannot solve the issue. Because this BJP government only speaks away problems when they arise and then sleeps.
In 2014, the late chief minister Manohar Parrikar gave responsibilities to various departments to tackle the issue. Do you know who is designated as the officer in command and in charge of activating shoreline response and operations? The Collector. Did you see any action taken? Goa State Pollution Control Board must collect and send the tar balls for testing. NIO must conduct fingerprinting and find the source. Captain of Ports must monitor vessels and control oil spillages. Directorate General of Shipping has to control ships and direct them to clean up. Tourism Dept needs to make available personnel to clean the beaches. Only the last Dept has acted. Had the others done their jobs there would have been no tar balls. Incidentally, it is the Mormugao Port Trust that must act to clean and protect all areas under its jurisdiction.
