Panaji (Goa) Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has filed criminal complaint against Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and M/s South West Port Limited (SWPL) before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) at Vasco for handling of coal in excess of the prescribed limit.

The Board vide the complaint has prayed that the MPT and SWPL Officers be tried and punished for violating the conditions of Consent to Operate issued to it under the Air and Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act.

The Board has filed a criminal complaint against MPT, SWPL and its concerned officials under section 200 CrPC read with section 43 of the Air Act for violating the provisions of section 21(5) (v) and 31 (A)(i) punishable under section 37(i) read with section 39 of the Air Act.

The complaint against MPT has been filed for handling excess cargo at Berth No 10 and 11 at the Harbour for the year 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 in violation of the Consent orders issued by the Board. This assessment by the Board has been done on the basis of data received from the MPT.

The complaint against SWPL is also in regards to handling of  excess coal at Berth no. 5A and 6A at MPT for the year 2012-13, 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 in violation of the consent orders issued by the Board.