VASCO: School students of Vasco handed over handmade paper bags to Mormugao Municipal chief officer as a part of their effort to fulfill the motto of plastic free Saptah this year. 

Giants Group of Vasco and Rotaract Club of Vasco have also joined hands to make Vasco plastic free. Both will distribute paper bags free of cost to every vendor during Saptah festival. Lions Club of Chicalim-Bogmalo and Lions Club of Vasco will be distributing another 4000 non-woven bags for saptah. 

The municipality will be distributing paper bags to all the stalls as an alternative to plastic. The MMC has procured about 20,000 paper bags from all schools and also purchased 4000 bags from an agency.

Any trader found using plastic bags will be fined Rs 5000, permission granted to them will be revoked forthwith and he or his family members will be banned from taking stall for the next three years. 

“We have taken strong stand to curb use of plastic for this saptah as we want to make Vasco plastic free. I have also directed all the traders to use disposable plates and cups for their use,” told CO Agnelo Fernandes. “Every trader selling food item should maintain hygiene. Strict checking will be done by FDA. Checking for plastic use will be strictest,” the CO said.

“I request all devotees visiting Saptah to cooperate with us to ensure plastic free saptah,” urged the chief officer.