02 Oct 2019 | 05:54am IST
Single-use plastic ban in State from today: CM
Says half of the plastic waste generation will stop if single-use plastic and plastic bottles are banned in govt offices and at functions
PANJIM/VASCO: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that Goa will ban single-use plastic from October 2, which is 150th birth anniversary Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.
Sawant made this announcement during the flagging off ceremony of All Terrain Vehicle of Goa Police under CSR initiative of Goa Shipyard at Miramar.
Sawant said Government has already issued an order banning the use of single-use plastic water bottles, glasses, plates, etc, in the government offices, canteens, meetings and functions from October 2.
The Chief Minister said half of the plastic waste generation will stop if single use plastic and plastic bottles are banned in government offices and at functions and added that "cleanliness has to be our motto as we are a tourism State."
From tomorrow (October 2) we are banning all single use plastic for everyone, he said.
Speaking to Herald, the Chief Minister said that the ban will be for the entire state.
"We have now announced the ban, which will create awareness and at the same time we will
start working on availability of alternatives such as cotton bags etc. After all this is done, we will start penalising if people still persist with plastic," he warned.
He said the government will soon also appoint a implementing authority for plastic ban.
Sawant called upon the government departments to take initiative in giving up plastic bottles. People must take up responsibility in keeping Goa and its nature clean and plastic free.
The Chief Minister said that Goa Shipyard has done good job by taking up public utility projects under its CRS activities especially in the field of healthcare and education.
Sawant said that the two all terrain vehicles given by the shipyard to the police will be useful for surveillance and security checks on the North and South Goa beaches. These vehicles can be also put to use as a emergency ambulance vehicles in drowning cases to take the victim quickly to the hospital. Goa Police will also get 60 new vehicles.
Commenting on the recent nude party advertisement issue on social media, Sawant complimented Goa Police for nabbing the person behind this. He said government is putting in efforts to promote Goa as hinterland tourism and medical tourism destination.
Sawant informed that KCIC, a private company has taken up beach cleaning contract and added that people can expect Goan beaches to be garbage and plastic free. He urged the locals to approach Tourism Corporation if they found any beach unclean.
The Chief Minister said it is each individual’s duty to keep Goa clean and urged the locals to stop using single use plastic.
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Ban is only on plastic bags of 50 microns: Lobo
PANJIM: Science and Technology Minister Michael Lobo said the ban is only on plastic bags of 50 microns.
"Though alternative methods will be looked into, people have to restrict themselves from using one time plastic bags which are less 50 microns," he said.
He said in phases all plastic would be banned.
"We are also looking to ban plastic bottles and only glass bottles will be used," he said.
