Goa: Noncompliant offshore casinos given 15 days to meet legal provisions

The Board has also ordered casinos to submit a compliance report. GSPCB member secretary Levinson Martins said failure to comply with the demands  would compel the Board to take necessary action as per the provisions of the mentioned act, which may include institution of criminal proceedings.

"Failing which the consent to operate issued by the Board will be withdrawn," Martins said. Board members who conducted the inspection following the national green tribunal order said in the report that the violations include the vessels not installing flow metres at outlets and inlets for water consumption and waste water generation; operating diesel generator sets without the Board's consent; no monthly submission of the mandatory sewage and solid waste details; and one vessel failing to submit a copy of its hazardous waste.

NGT had directed the state government not to grant new permissions to offshore casinos in the River Mandovi on environmental grounds. The order had also stated that existing offshore casinos should be prevented from dumping any material into the river until further orders. NGT had instructed GSPCB to inspect the casinos and file a status report before the next date of hearing. The Board submitted its report last week.