India has a commitment towards eliminating use of single-use plastic by 2022 and Goa participated to do its bit. The ban on single-use plastic is a welcome step but the implementation has been lax.
In Panjim market complex, the vendors disburse goods in plastic carry bags on the pretext that the consumer should claim the ownership if the vendor is caught by the authorities. This shows that people have not accepted the fact that plastic is a major cause of concern for the environment but instead want to avoid penalties.
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Bringing only the registered owners under the purview of the law only shows that the authorities are oblivious to the roadside vendors of vegetables, fruits, fish or flowers (festive season). These small vendors constitute the greatest contributors given the scale on which they operate on the entire road network in Goa. Whom to blame?
The customers who do not carry their own bags or the vendors who give it as a compliment? Merely banning on the use of plastic will not suffice until the manufacturing is stopped, and most importantly implementation is done in a strict manner.
Society should make a habit of keeping a carry bag with them (preferably of cloth) while stepping out of the house. If this is inculcated, then authorities are not required to tackle the problem, the problem will be solved by the society and Goa will be at the top spot within no time.
