Summary:
The March 15 meeting of the pollution board had to be cancelled after the Election Commission (EC) sent the board a notice. “Despite these violations, the Board has been afraid to act,” Alvares said.Vasco locals told the Board that they have lost confidence in its ability to monitor and control coal pollution in Vasco from MPT operations and hence, coal handling should be permanently shut down.Shetgaonkar criticised Mormugao MLA Milind Naik’s recent statements that his constituency has not been impacted by coal pollution and that those opposing coal handling are outsiders. The board has now applied to the EC for permission to hold the meeting. If held, the citizens have demanded that the board also gives them a hearing before any further decisions are taken.Correia told reporters that the board must listen to aggrieved people of the city. Shetgaonkar gave the delegation a patient hearing and assured them of taking appropriate action in the matter.The citizens also objected to the grant of any renewal of consent to SWPL when the present consent expires on March 31.Further, they objected to an application submitted by SWPL for enhancement of coal handling..