MARGAO
South Goa district Collector Egna Cletus, IAS has issued directions under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 to the Deputy Collectors/ Mamlatdars are hereby directed to monitor & enforce government directions that Ganesh idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) should not be sold or used in any part in the State of Goa.
Issuing the directions under section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, the district Collector has directed the deputy Collectors and Mamlatdars to file complaint against any such violator before the appropriate Court under relevant provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and any other Act/rules as applicable.
The Police Inspectors of Margao/ Maina Curtorim/ Fatorda/ Colva/Cuncolim/ Quepem/ Churchorem/ Sanguem/ Canacona/ Vasco Verna/ Mormagoa/Ponda/ Collem/ Mardol have been further directed to undertake inspections and take appropriate actions against the offenders.
The Collector’s directions comes in the wake of the reports that several Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols are being imported from neighbouring states for sale in Goa during the annual Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
“The Government of Goa, taking into consideration the public health and the likely effects on the environment of the State of Goa, is of the view that such PoP idols should not be sold or used in any part in the State of Goa”, the Collector stated.
