MARGAO: The plots containing the hazardous waste finally lay sealed at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate, but questions have come to the fore how the authorities overlooked the 20,000 tons of waste in the two plots while granting permissions to the present occupier the Axis to use the land for industrial purpose.

Questions are being raised whether the authorities, including the Goa State Pollution Control Board, the Industrial Development Corporation and the SBI Stressed Assets Management, Mumbai were more concerned with granting permissions for the present occupier than tackling the existing waste. The roles of these authorities have come into sharp focus as the occupier The Axis has maintained they are being made a scapegoat for the tons of waste lying at the plots before they could take possession.