North Goa collector's office seals 3 casinos

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2009-03-25
PANAJI- The North Goa collector’s office on Tuesday sealed three casinos from among the four that had been directed to suspend operations by the Goa State Pollution Control Board.
The casinos that were sealed were M V Leela, M V Caravela, and MV San Domino.
Surprisingly, on Tuesday itself the pollution control board revoked the directions issued under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 read with Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 1989 to two casinos, M V Leela and M V Caravela after a meeting of the technical advisory committee, informed sources.
The revocation order of MV Pride of Goa had already been issued on last Friday after the company had approached the courts.
Sources informed that letters were received from all the casinos that were issued notices with the MV San Domino informing that it had still not started operations.
The North Goa collector, Mr K Singh confirmed the sealing of the vessels while speaking to ‘The Navhind Times’.
Earlier, the team led by the Tiswadi and Bardez mamlatdars along with other government personnel started the exercise from around 11.39 p.m. and ended at around 2.30 p.m.
The Tiswadi mamlatdar, Mr Faldessai told the media that the casinos have been sealed to enforce the orders of the pollution board.
The North Goa collector had been directed to ensure suspension of the four vessels with immediate effect as a result of the notice under the Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 1989 that cited a Supreme Court order directing the state pollution boards to close units operating without such consent.
Another set of notices had also been served to the managements who have been directed to apply for consent to operate from the board as required under section 25/26 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and section 21 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act within a period of seven days from the date of receipt of this notice.
The Captain of Ports had also served notices to two offshore casinos, MV San Domino and the MV Caravela to leave the river Mandovi within 24 hours on March 18.
This order came as the government had given 15 days notice to casino vessels operating on the Mandovi river to shift further down the Arabian Sea and the balance casinos had approached the courts and a stay has been obtained.