PORVORIM: The govt stated that the law banning single use plastic in the State will be passed during the ongoing session of the legislative assembly.
In his written reply to a question tabled by MLA Nilkant Halarnkar, Environment minister Nilesh Cabral said that the Environment Dept has proposed an amendment to Goa Non- Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, for banning single use of plastic, which has been vetted by the Law Dept and will be placed before the Assembly in this session.
Cabral said the govt has in place the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act 1996. “Environment Dept has notified the authority under Rule 11 of Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act 1996 empowering them to levy of fine under provision of the Act,” he added. The minister said that as per information provided by the GSPCB, the Central Pollution Control Board has issued direction under section 5 for closure of un-authorized plastic bags manufacturing units.
“The GSPCB has also conveyed to authorities that as per provision of Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, shopkeepers and street vendors using plastic carry bags are required to pay waste management fees of Rs 4,000 per month and only such shopkeepers and vendors who have paid fees can provide plastic bags for dispending commodities,” he said.
