Panaji: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Principal Bench has pulled up State Mines department for its proposal to fill up the mined out pits with solid waste.
The Mines department in an report submitted to NGT with regards to framing of Appropriate
Policy/Guidelines and manual of Standard Operating Procedure, has said suggested to fill up mined pits with solid waste in consultation with a Norwegian company.
“We therefore, have no hesitation in rejecting the report as unacceptable. If the proposal is to be accepted, it would amount to giving license for commission of criminal offence apart from it being in violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016,” the order stated.
“The report clearly demonstrates the insensitivity on the part of the State of Goa in dealing with such a serious question where lives have reportedly been lost,” the bench added while referring to the death of four students due to drowning in a stone quarry at Tuem.
While imposing a fine of Rs five lakhs, NGT has granted one month time for the department to submit the report.
considering the seriousness of the matter, tribunal has asked Chief Secretary to coordinate the matter with Mines department and GSPCB to ensure that effective measures are taken for mitigation of the serious environmental issues involved in the case.
