log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday SATURDAY DECEMBER 31, 2022 Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday 14 pages PRICE ` 8 The Goan (Playstore) PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VIII, NO. 193 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday Pant injured in car crash in Haridwar, stable Pg14 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 HC directs prosecution of Sunburn Goa ready for celebrations, but party scene clouded organisers for violating sound law DECLINES TO STOP EVENT, DIRECTS AUTHORITIES TO ENSURE THAT NO MUSIC IS PLAYED BEYOND PERMISSIBLE LEVEL ON LAST DAY THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Bombay High Court at Goa, on Friday morning directed that no music be played at Sunburn above 55 dB (A) Leq (equivalent continuous sound level) at any time between 3:30 pm and 10 pm at the Sunburn music festival and that no live monitoring equipment was set up outside the venue of the festival without which, the festival won’t be allowed to proceed. After the Pollution Control Board informed the Court that music louder than 55 dB(A) Leq was played at the venue over the last two days, the HC directed that the organisers be prosecuted under relevant provisions of the Environment Act. The directions were issued by the High Court on the morning of the last day of the The GSPCB, the Collector and the concerned Deputy Collector, the concerned DySP, Mapusa, who is the SDPO in charge of the taluka along with the PI Anjuna Police Station are ordered to maintain strict vigil at the concerned site to ensure that under no circumstances would music be played on 30.12.2022 from 3.30 pm to 10.00 pm festival based on a petition by one Ramesh Sinary who alleged that at the event “Electronic Dance Music (EDM) is played continuously in open air, within a residential area at a decibel level higher than 55 dB(A) Leq, which is in violation of the provisions of the COURT DIRECTION at levels above 55 dB(A) Leq There shall be no music played after 10 pm and the Goa State Pollution Control Board shall ensure that its decibel metre devices to record the ambient noise level at the site shall collect data on real time basis from 3.30 pm to beyond 10 pm Such data shall be downloaded and be printed and placed before this Court along with its affidavit on 03.01.2023 Environment (Protection) Act and the Air Act, making the organisers liable for prosecution under the penal provisions of these Acts.” The High Court, while declining to stop the event as sought by the petitioner, ordered that the Goa State Pol- lution Control Board, the Collector and the concerned Deputy Collector, the concerned Deputy Superintendent (of Police), Mapusa, who is the Sub-Divisional Officer in charge of the taluka along with the PI Anjuna Police Station maintain strict vigil at the concerned site to ensure that under no circumstances would music be played on 30.12.2022 from 3.30 pm to 10.00 pm at levels above 55 dB(A) Leq.” “There shall be no music played after 10 pm. The Goa State Pollution Control Board shall ensure that its decibel metre devices to record the ambient noise level at the site shall collect data on real time basis from 3.30 pm to beyond 10 pm. Such data shall be downloaded and be printed and placed before this Court along with its affidavit on 03.01.2023,” the High Court bench of Justice Valmiki Sa Menezes, said. “The Pollution Control Board and the concerned PI/ Deputy SP are hereby directed to ensure the enforcement of these provisions and see that >Continued on P6 Authorities have task at hand to ensure HC order on sound norms as late night events are lined up THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI With the Bombay High Court at Goa directing prosecution of Sunburn organisers for violating sound regulations, the focus is now shifted to the New Year parties that are set to kick off on Saturday night. In the case of Sunburn, the Goa State Pollution Control Board, Collector, Deputy Collector, Mapusa DySP Mapusa and the PI of Anjuna police station were held responsible and were directed to ensure that music does not cross the permitted decibels between 3.30 pm and 10 pm. With a series of parties lined up on Saturday night, the authorities have a task cut out, but it remains to be seen if restrictions would be imposed on New Year parties since these events hit a crescendo at midnight. Event organisers, groups, hotels and private entities AUTHORITIES ALL SET The Goa State Pollution Control Board has already asserted that its designated officers are deployed on the field with sound-testing devices while the police have already set up a dedicated control room to accept complaints during this period have announced grand New Year parties on Saturday evening from 7 pm - 8 pm onwards while some have boldly announced to continue partying till the next morning. Interestingly, the organisers have also made outdoor seating arrangements as footfalls are expected to increase across the venues. The Northern coastal belt is likely to hold maximum outdoor parties. After two years of virtual and small gatherings, this year lakhs of people have ventured out to celebrate New Year’s Eve and Day. The New Year’s eve has traditionally been a popular tourist attraction with noted personalities and celebration flying into Goa to usher in the year with pomp and revellery. It may be recalled that the enforcement went soft on parties on Christmas night with some continuing uninterrupted till the wee hours of the next day. The Goa Pollution Control Board has already asserted that its designated officers are deployed on the field with sound-testing devices while the police have already set up a dedicated control room to accept complaints during this period. DGP Jaspal Singh said the police teams intervene “ if there is a PCR call.”
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