GOA ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION GROUP [Registration No. 6/98] Office: 2nd. Floor , Karekar Building, Angod, Mapusa. Ph: (0832) 2266111 - (M) 9890479896
Our Ref: GEAG/LMNP/NPC/02/08/001 February 14, 2008 To, Mr. Mihir Vardhan, Chairman, Citizen's Committee (N-Goa) for Loud Music Noise Pollution, Collectorate, Panjim-Goa. Sir, Sub: Chronic Violation of Permission to use open air sound system. Rawalnath Temple, situated at Tambdi Mati, Pirazona, Moira has been a chronic noise polluter for almost twenty years. I, as a citizen had approached the High Court of Bomaby at Goa in a suo moto Writ Petition 97 of 1997. In spite of the above, this Temple has been a chronic violator of the noise pollution rules and regulations. I have been postponing going back to the High Court of Bombay in a Contempt of Court Petition against the authorities who have filed affidavits in the High Court in the above petition in the hope that better sense will prevail. Today, I have personally checked at the office of the Deputy Collector, North, that this Temple has been given permission toplay loud music 11th to 16th of February, 2008. On 12th, February, this Temple hosted an open air function at it premises bursting high impact fire crackers for a period of over one hour, but concluded at 10 p.m.. However, last night, 13th. February, 2008 the open air drama [natak] continued up to just before 3 a.m. at such a loud volume that the entire residential area where this Temple is located was disturbed, with residences in the immediate neighbourhoood including the Aged- Home just a stone's throw away. I called your cell phone at 12.30 p.m. 13th. February, but there was no response. Thereafter I spoke to the Additional Collector Mr. Swapnil Naik who promised to inform the Mapusa police station. However, no action was forth-coming, where the request tht was made was to see that the sound volume may be reduced sufficiently to cover the audience. I have also informed Mr. Naik that Mr. S. Goltekar who is now the Dy. S.P.O. in charge of Mapusa PS was the PI and the Respondent in the Writ Petition No. 97 of 1997. Mr. Corjuemcar, the Dy. Collector & S.D.M. of Bardez at Mapusa is aware that this Temple is the chronic violator of noise pollution rules. In spite of this, the permission has been issued to this Temple for five consective days without ensring that the police keeps a check for violation of the permission. Mr. Corjuemcar is also in the above Citizen's Committee instituted by the High Court to tackle Noise Pollution. Prayer: That in view of the chronic violation of the permission to use sound system last night and no corrective action having being taken in spite of the complaint originating personally from me, as a member of the above mentioned committee to the highest authority, I demand that the permission given to this Temple as above be revoked forthwith. That this Temple be black listed and no future permissions to play loud music must be given. That this Temple be put on permanent 'monitor' to detect violations of loud music rules in force on daily basis. Please note that if the above is not forth-coming at your end, I shall be constrained to approach the High Court of Bombay at Goa in a Contempt of Court Petition as mentioned above. As a matter of fact this letter is made to support the same. Hopeful of your fullest co-operation. Thanking you, Yours faithfully, for Goa Environmental Action Group Sd/- Floriano C. Lobo Hon. General Secretary. Copy: Additional Collector (North) for information and action. Copy: Deputy Collector (Bardez) at Mapusa for information and action. Copy: Citizen Members of the Noise Pollution Committee for information. Comments: The Collector ordered the Dy. SPO, Mapusa to book the Temple committee for offence of violation of the permission to use Loud Music/ Public address system. He has also ordered that this Temple may not be given any permission to use sound system in the future as also ordered that the present permission be revoked forthwith. Actual ground reality at this hours (i.e. 10 p.m.) today. The Temple is without sound system. Perhaps the natak will be performed in the natural manner as these used to be performed before the advent of public address systems. I see justice having been done in almost twenty five years. This is the dogged way I have always worked, knowing fully well that slow and steady always wins the race, irrespective of the political lobby encouraging the cultivated vote banks into lawlessness. I like to quote the Collector, Mr. Mihir Vardhan for having said what he said to me today at 2.30 p.m. in his office. "the police is to be blamed for all ills of Goa and for reducing it into a lawless State". And my response to that was in Konkani which he might not have understood. "Tujea tondan sakor poddom" End. ----------------------------------------------------------------- GOA needs a 'REVOLUTION' if it is to see better days. Goasuraj is that revolution. Support it. email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.goasu-raj.org
