PANJIM: In an eco-friendly initiative, the State government has decided to ban single-use plastic from its day-to-day functioning from October 2, and will encourage environment-friendly products.
General Administration under secretary Shripad Arlekar issued a circular in this regard after seeking approval of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant.
The circular states, “Government of Goa has decided to ban usage of single-use plastic water bottles, glasses, plates, etc in government offices, meetings and functions from October 2, 2019.”
“All the offices are herby directed to discontinue use of single use plastic water bottles, glasses, plates, etc and to use items or equipments which are eco-friendly and re-usable to provide water and other items in the offices, meetings and functions of the government,” it adds. It also bans single-use plastic water bottles, glasses, plates in government canteens.
The State Legislative Assembly had last month passed a bill to ban the manufacture, sale and use of single-use plastic items and carry bags, with a penalty varying from Rs 2,500 to Rs three lakh to be imposed on the violators.
Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) (amendment) Bill 2019 was passed in the House.
