Dhiraj Harmalkar/
Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: Most Vendors, shop owners, unorganised workers and the public are unaware of the ban on single-use plastic. Vendors and people demand proper awareness by the authorities concerned about this plastic ban and also demand an economically feasible alternative to plastic.
Since the start of July month, the central government has imposed a ban on single-use plastic all over the country.
This green initiative was appreciable but at the same time, the local governing bodies who are supposed to do much-needed awareness about this plastic ban and provide an alternate solution to the single-use plastic seem to have not done enough of their part of the job. The sudden enforcement of this ban has inconvenienced the public rather than easing their tension.
Peter Anthony, general Store keeper said that he was unaware of the single used plastic.
There was no awareness by any authorities about the single-use plastic, only MMC comes to fine Rs.200 per month and police come to collect fine Rs.100″, he said.
A woman fish vendor from Vasco fish market said that they will not keep quiet if they are fined all of a sudden for single-use plastic as nobody created awareness about it before. Authorities should give an alternative if they are stopping plastic.
Arif Bepari, Meat shop owner said that mutton and other meat shop vendors are unaware of any ban on single-use plastic. We haven’t received any order from the MMC or any government authorities in this regard
Adv. Savio Correia, an Environment activist said that the Single-use plastic ban should have come long before. The move to bring this ban was much needed and very appreciative.
He further said that the enforcement of this rule should be done keeping in mind that the users will understand the importance of non-usage of single-use plastic and opting for a greener substitute at a similar cost. Simply giving challans and fines to the vendors won’t help but enough awareness about this move among the traders, vendors and people is needed.
Dasharath Redkar, Director Department of Environment and Climate Change said that it is the duty of the local municipality and the panchayat body to enforce the ban on Single-use plastic in their jurisdiction. Taluka Mamlatdar is the authority to attend to the complaints and grievances of the people.
He further informed that “recently a joint meeting was held wherein all municipalities and panchayat representatives were called and explained about this issue. It is their responsibility to enforce and impose fines if they found single-use plastic being sold or used. Goa State Biodiversity Board has also introduced and encouraged the usage of cloth bags which are non-polluting and reusable. People should come forward and accept the green initiatives as it is high time now to save the earth” Redkar added.