Panaji: In a major decision the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has issued huge penalty and show cause notices to four industrial units imposed for violation of the Water Act and Air Act.
The GSPCB order states four industries M/s United Marine Products, M/s Sagar Foods & Food Processing Industry, M/s Indotech ice and Cold Storage and M/s Quality foods.that the four industrial units were leaving untreated waste in illegally dug borewells in their premises at Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
M/s. Sagar Feeds & Food Processing Industry has been asked to explain why Rs.1,74,37,500 polluter pays penalty be not imposed on them.
Similarly, M/s. United Marine Products (Rs. 1,45,93,750), M/s. Indotech Ice & Cold Storage (Rs.1.96,56,250) and M/s. Quality Foods (Rs 2,05,93,750) have been asked to explain their sides why the penalty must not be imposed.
The Board has also asked the units to explain in 7 days why the unit operations must not be closed and fine be imposed for violation of the Water Act and Air Act.
The GSPCB show cause notices, issued by Environment Engineer Sanjeev joglekar says, “during review of documents at the industries there was no data to confirm that the units were recycling the treatment effluent to the maximum possible and therefore a detailed investigation on treated effluent discharge and reuse was required. “
“It is to be noted that the underground strata at Cuncolim is composed of Laterite Rock and therefore it may be possible to discharge treated effluent for gardening at not more than 6L per m of available land for gardening. Since details of available gardening area are unavailable, the site should provide how and how much volume of treated effluent they discharge on land for gardening per day. With reference to observed site premises it is not possible that soil will absorb this quantity of effluent and therefore it is highly possible that the treated or untreated effluent is discharged,” it says.
