Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has begun suo motu proceedings into complaints of persistent foul odour and suspected industrial pollution in Bethora, calling for reports from six government authorities within the next few days.
The Commission decided to intervene after taking note of a media report that highlighted the concerns of local residents, who claimed that emissions from nearby industrial units were creating an unhealthy environment in the area.
Notices have been served on the Chief Secretary, the Director of Health Services, the Director of Industries, Trade and Commerce, the Member Secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board, the Secretary of the Bethora-Nirancal-Conxem-Codari Village Panchayat and the Health Officer of the Sub-District Hospital in Ponda.
The Bench, headed by Chairperson Justice Bharat Deshpande along with Members Desmond D’Costa and Pramod Kamat, has directed the authorities to submit their findings and remain present before the Commission, either personally or through authorised representatives, on July 29 at 10.30 am.
The GHRC’s intervention is expected to examine whether the alleged pollution and foul odour have affected the rights and well-being of residents and to determine whether the concerned departments have taken adequate measures to address the issue.
