The State Authorities on Tuesday came under fire from High Court for failing to enforce the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 effectively in Chinchinim village in Salcete. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice N A Britto pulled up the authorities while hearing a writ petition filed by Green Goa Foundation that complained about noise pollution caused by loud music at a farmhouse, Socos Creative Farm in Chinchinim village. The Environment Ministry Regulations, 2000, restrict the use of the public address system between 10 pm and 6 am, except in closed halls or convention rooms, and beating of drums or playing other instruments near a silence zone. The petitioners had complained that the Police entrusted with the Chinchinim jurisdiction had not done anything to stop noise pollution even as several villagers had made complaints to police. After petitioners complaint on October 29, police though visited the site to conduct panchanama, no action was taken, he said. Thereafter, a Division Bench directed Government Advocate S R Rivankar to instruct the police officer who had conducted the panchanama on October 29 to remain present before the court in the afternoon session. When the petition came up for hearing in the afternoon, Rivankar told the court that the Police Inspector of the Police Station concerned produced relevant investigation report. The police officer was also present. Rivankar replied, though meters for measuring sound pollution levels have been provided to police, they do not possess technical know-how to operate them and therefore, sound levels at the site could not be verified. And, he prayed for two weeks time to file an affidavit giving details about investigation carried out with respect to complaints made by the petitioners. The Bench thereafter directed the State Government to file its reply in two weeks when the matter would be heard next.