Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Deposit Refund Scheme Authority has laid down the fee structure for businesses participating in the state’s Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS), marking a step towards putting the packaging recovery mechanism into operation.
Two separate notifications cover the Reverse Collection Fee (RCF) and the Annual System Participation Fee (ASPF). The charges apply to manufacturers, producers, importers and brand owners registering for and participating in the scheme.
Under the reverse collection component, the notified rate is Rs 10 per metric tonne for glass, rigid plastic, flexible plastic, metal cans and liquid packaging boards, including Tetra Pak. Multi-layered packaging will attract a higher rate of Rs 12 per metric tonne. Applicable taxes will be charged separately.
The annual participation charge will depend on a company’s turnover, with the authority prescribing four categories.
Businesses recording an annual turnover of up to Rs 100 crore will pay Rs 10,000, while those earning above Rs 100 crore and up to Rs 250 crore will be charged Rs 25,000.
For entities with turnover exceeding Rs 250 crore but not crossing Rs 500 crore, the annual fee has been fixed at Rs 50,000. Companies with turnover above Rs 500 crore will have to pay Rs 1 lakh annually.
The fee structure establishes the financial requirements for businesses seeking to participate in the proposed system. However, the notifications, as reported, do not specify when fee collection will begin or provide further details about the operational arrangements.
The scheme is intended to establish a system for the return and collection of eligible packaging materials.
The notified charges cover six packaging categories under the reverse collection fee framework and four turnover-based slabs for annual participation.
With the fee rules now notified, the next stage will involve operationalising the system and clarifying the practical procedures for businesses covered by the scheme.
