Special Correspondent
Panaji
The state Legislative Assembly witnessed commotion during the Question Hour on the second day of its winter session, with the Opposition legislators rushing to the well of the House over coal handling at the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA).
The Opposition MLAs went to the well.
the slogan, ‘Goyant Kolso Naka’ (We don’t want coal in Goa), Chief Minister Pramod Sawant continued to read his reply.
Stating that the coal handling at MPA is within legal and permissible limits, Sawant told the House that the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has not permitted South West Port Limited (SWPL) or Adani Mormugao Port Terminal (AMPT) to handle coal or coke beyond the quantity approved in the year 2012.
Sawant informed that GSPCB has initiated a health impact study titled, ‘Health Study for Assessing Impact on Communities Residing in the Vicinity of MPT, Vasco City’ through the ICMR–National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad.
“The institute will assess coal dust exposure, respiratory illnesses, and heavy metals in workers and residents near the MPA,” he added.
The Chief Minister said SWPL has the environmental clearance to handle 5.5 million tonne per annum as against which they handled 3.4 million tonne per annum, while AMPT handled 4.6 million tonne per annum as against 5.2 million tonne per annum permitted.
“The Mooring Dolphine handled 0.2 million tonne per annum against 0.3 million tonne per annum,” he disclosed, noting that all these companies had the environment clearances, except the Mooring Dolphine which does not require environmental clearance, for coal handling in Goa as per the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 2006.
Sawant also told the House that the government has not permitted any additional coal handling.
Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao alleged that the coal handling companies are operating without mandatory environmental clearance and that the coal-related activities should not be allowed to continue in Goa.
Congress MLA Altone D’Costa alleged that the double tracking has been taken up by the government for coal handling.
“Former chief minister Manohar Parrikar had assured no expansion of coal handling in Goa as he stood with the people of Goa on coal issue; and hence I respect him,” he said, adding that it is time to take Parrikar’s legacy forward.
Read more updates on coal handling in Goa and related Assembly developments on The Navhind Times.
