Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: With just a month remaining for the launch of Goa’s Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS), apprehension and confusion are surfacing at the local level, even as the government pushes to set up one Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) in every village panchayat.
In a recent memorandum to Block Development Officers (BDOs), Director of Panchayats Mahadev Araundekar instructed all panchayats to “extend full cooperation” for the installation of RVMs on their premises.
The move comes amid growing uncertainty among traders, citizens, and village representatives over the rapid implementation of the DRS, which is being touted as India’s first scheme of its kind.
“The DRS is intended to create a structured and accountable system for collecting and recycling designated packaging materials with the active participation of all stakeholders. Each panchayat will host one Reverse Vending Machine,” Araundekar stated in his communication to the BDOs.
However, several sarpanchas said they were unaware of the scheme or its operational details. Assagao Sarpanch Hanumant Naik admitted he was “completely in the dark” about the plan and stressed that any such initiative must first be discussed in the gram sabha.
Naik highlighted existing waste management challenges in his panchayat, warning that implementing the DRS could overburden local administration. “The government should assign its own staff to manage the RVM. Otherwise, it will add extra work for the panchayat,” he said, while also pointing out potential inconvenience to the public due to queuing and extra time spent.
Parra Sarpanch Daniel Lobo echoed similar concerns, noting that although some residents had asked him about the scheme, detailed discussions or guidance had not reached him. Lobo also questioned the financial implications for citizens, particularly if a deposit amount is required, given the ongoing economic pressures.
Several other rural panchayats reported they had not received any official communication from their BDOs regarding the installation of RVMs, leaving them unprepared for the imminent rollout.
The government’s insistence on rapidly implementing the DRS, despite calls from traders and other stakeholders for a delay, has triggered unease and resistance within panchayats, raising questions about preparedness and feasibility at the grassroots level.
