Digital Goa, Jan 20 – Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has reiterated that playing music after 10 pm is strictly prohibited under central noise pollution laws, with no exemptions for weddings, political meetings or other events. GSPCB Chairperson Levinson Martins said music beyond 10 pm is permitted only on 15 notified days in a year, as allowed under the law. He also informed that the board has introduced a graded penalty system for violations, imposing a fine of ₹20,000 for the first offence, ₹40,000 for the second, and ₹1 lakh for repeated violations. In addition to monetary penalties, licences of offending establishments can also be cancelled. Complaints received by the GSPCB are shared with the police and the deputy collector for appropriate action. Since September, the board has initiated 22 actions related to noise pollution, he added. Around 600 complaints have been received by the board of these, 38 locations are being monitored online as identified noise pollution hotspots. Martins added that action will also be taken for breaches of prescribed daytime decibel limits. Noise violations can be reported round-the-clock on the dedicated helpline number 8956487938, he informed.
▪️ GSPCB mulls levying environmental compensation on panchayats with poor garbage management
Digital Goa, Jan 20 – GSPCB is considering levying Environmental Compensation (EC) on panchayats that fail to ensure proper garbage management. EC is a financial penalty based on the “polluter pays” principle, under which entities responsible for environmental damage are required to bear the cost of remediation and restoration.
