Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Aug 12: In what is believed to be a first-of-its-kind condition imposed by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), a Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company has been directed to ensure that 80 per cent of the workforce at its proposed plant in Verna comprises local Goan candidates.
The condition was imposed by SEIAA while granting environmental clearance (EC) to M/s Centaur Pharmaceuticals Private Limited for the construction of an industrial shed at Verna Industrial Estate in South Goa.
As part of the specific conditions attached to the environmental clearance, the company has been directed to employ 80 per cent local Goan candidates at the proposed plant. It must also provide details of employment generation for the local Goan population as part of its six-monthly environmental compliance reports.
The company will have to furnish the total number of employees, along with a category-wise break-up of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers. The reports must also include the number of local Goans employed and details of measures taken to enhance local employment through recruitment and skill-development initiatives.
“The Project Proponent shall employ 80% local Goan candidates at the proposed plant. The Project Proponent shall provide details regarding employment generation for the local Goan population at the existing/proposed plant. The details shall be submitted as part of the six-monthly compliance reports,” SEIAA stated.
The condition is notable as environmental clearances generally focus on pollution control, environmental safeguards and statutory compliance, while employment-related requirements are rarely included as specific EC conditions.
The proposed project involves construction of an industrial facility with a total built-up area of 48,102.30 square metres. Of this, 39,330.08 square metres will constitute FSI area, while 8,772.22 square metres will be non-FSI area. The premises will also have parking facilities for 310 four-wheelers and 1,182 two-wheelers.
Apart from the employment requirement, SEIAA has directed the company to obtain all mandatory statutory approvals, including those from the Town Planning Authority, before commencing construction. The buildings must comply with applicable local building by-laws and structural safety requirements prescribed under the National Building Code.
The authority has also imposed a major greenbelt development condition. The company has been directed to plant 5,000 saplings within or around the project area or at other suitable locations.
The plantation should predominantly comprise native Goan species, along with medicinal, fruit-bearing and spice trees aimed at promoting biodiversity. The use of ornamental species has been restricted.
All plantations must be GPS geo-tagged and numbered. The company will have to maintain species-wise records, location coordinates, survival status and photographic evidence. These details are also required to be submitted through the six-monthly environmental compliance reports.