Team Goemkarponn
VASCO: The Goa Women’s Forum (GWF) staged an awareness action in Vasco, calling for the scrapping of the Goa Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) and urging consumers to oppose its implementation.
The programme, held in front of the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) building, saw GWF volunteers interacting with present and former councillors as well as citizens visiting the municipal office. The initiative marked the launch of GWF’s awareness campaign targeting consumers in municipal areas across Goa.
Holding placards with slogans such as “Scrap Deposit Refund Scheme Now”, “Deposit Refund Scheme is Anti-People” and “Consumer Boycott will be the response to DRS”, volunteers outlined their objections to the proposed system. They argued that unlike in other countries, where consumers receive direct value for returning packaging through reverse vending machines without additional requirements, the Goa model proposes advance deposits and mandatory submission of personal details.
GWF members claimed that under the proposed system, consumers would be required to provide mobile numbers and bank account details, which they said could create inconvenience and discourage participation. They further stated that no QR code tagging or advance deposit collection is typically imposed in international models, making the Goa proposal burdensome for the public.
Convenor Lorna Fernandes appealed to consumers to remain alert about the installation of DRS machines in municipal and panchayat areas and to be prepared to boycott the scheme if implemented in its current form.
The forum stated that it will continue its campaign across Goa to mobilise public opinion against the DRS.
