Panaji, Jul 19 (IANS): A manufacturing unit of Berger Paints, a major decorative paint manufacturing company in India, is being probed for pollution of ground water in villages near the Pilerne Industrial Estate in Goa, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira told the assembly Monday.

Speaking in reply to a calling attention motion, Sequeira said the state pollution control board was conducting a hearing after residents of Saipem village filed a complaint under the Water and Air Pollution Act.

"The state top pollution control authority is already hearing a complaint against Berger Paints. An inspection of the unit at the industrial estate has already been conducted after the complaint said that chemicals were being discharged by the company and was contaminating the ground water," Sequeira said.

"We will take strict action in accordance with law after the hearing, which is a part of official procedure," Aleixo said.

Berger Becker Industries Coating Pvt Ltd located at the Pilerne industrial estate, about 10 km from here, manufactures industrial paint, industrial colour powders, white wash colours and paint pigments.