Panaji, April 3 (IANS): Goa Wednesday warned liquor baron Vijay Mallya-owned breweries of strict action for violation of anti-pollution laws in the state.

Distilleries owned and run by Mallya's group are located at the Bethora industrial estate, 40 km from here.

Environment Minister Alina Saldanha told the Goa assembly that an inspection was done of a water body in which United Breweries (UB) and United Spirits (US) were releasing their industrial sewage. The released water was found to contain pollutants more than at the permissible limit.

"In view of the above, the board (Goa State Pollution Control Board) had issued a show cause notice to the units of United Breweries and United Spirits," the minister said.

"The board will initiate further action against the units in accordance with law in order to ensure that untreated or treated... sewage is not discharged into the nallah (water body)," Saldanha said.

The government will also conduct surprise raids to ensure that the pollution levels are checked at all times.