HC seeks water supply plan for Sonshi

To hear petition on pollution in village next week

PANAJI: The Bombay High Court at Goa on Wednesday admitted a public interest litigation (PIL) on pollution at Sonshi mining village in North Goa, saying that it raised several serious issues, and posted it for hearing on October 10.

Primarily concerned about the lack of water in the village, the court asked the State government to come up with proposals for a water distribution system by the time of the hearing.

Norms violated

Earlier this year, Sonshi villagers had protested against trucks transporting ore for mining companies as they generated huge volumes of air and water pollution. The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) had produced data to indicate that air pollution control norms were violated over eight straight months in the village from October 2016.

As their pleas to the authorities did not get any response, the villagers, predominantly tribals, had blocked the village road. They were arrested and refused bail saying they had done nothing wrong.

The police and the GSPCB are yet to file cases against the mining companies for violating statutory limits for over eight months. The petition filed by the Goa Foundation (GF) has asked for necessary directions to this effect from the court.

The GF, which has been working against illegal mining for several years, has filed the PIL on behalf of all Sonshi families.

Compensation demand

The petition seeks ₹50 lakh for every family as compensation for the damage to health, besides punitive damages for crossing statutory air pollution limits, and exemplary damages so that such violations are not repeated.

It has made the claim against nine mining companies and the GSPCB, who it says failed to act.

The PIL argues that the village families do not have to prove medical damage, since the statute itself has been notified on the ground that exceeding the limit will cause damage to health.

According to the petition, 1200 trucks have made 16,000 trips through the village.

Sonshi is surrounded by 13 mining leases belonging to nine lease-holders.

The PIL has asked for the implementation of the District Mineral Foundation scheme laid down under the Mines and Minerals Act.