the goan I network
MARGAO
Village gram sabhas on Sunday adopted resolution on ban the use of plastic in their jurisdictions. May of the sabhas demanded a
shutdown of the plastic manufacturing units.
The Velim gram sabha went a step further to reject the Panchayat Director’s circular mandating the panchayats to pass a resolution banning plastic, while the Cavelossim gram sabha, while adopting a resolution on the ban, also resolved to write to the
state government authorities to ban plastic manufacturing units.
The Cavelossim gram sabha sabha also raised the question on the enforcement of the ban on plastic, with the meeting taking a decision to write to the government to appoint a sanitary inspector for enforcement of the ban.
At almost every gram sabha meetings held across Salcete, members had a pointed question to ask to the Panchayat Director, demanding to know why the government was pushing the responsibility of curbing the plastic menace on the local bodies when the job can be achieved by shutting down the plastic manufacturing units.
Velim Sarpanch Savio D’Silva maintained that the gram sabha did not pass a resolution seeking ban on the use of plastic bags simply because the members felt the objective can be achieved by shutting down the plastic manufacturing units.
He said gram sabha members were of the view that the panchayat has no manpower to enforce the plastic ban and the resolution, if passed, will be confined only on paper.
The Curtorim gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Rui Menezes adopted a resolution to ban the use of plastic bags. But, the gram sabha also decided to send to the Panchayat Director a point raised by gram sabha member Charles Barretto seeking to know from the government whether the panchayat director’s fiat to the gram sabhas to adopt the resolution has the backing of the Panchayat Raj Act. “Let the Panchayat Director clarify whether adoption of a resolution to ban plastic conforms to the Goa Panchayat Raj Act. We have asked for a clarification because in the past the panchayat director’s office had rejected many a resolution on grounds the same were in violation of the Panchayat Raj Act,”
Charles said.
Carmona gram Sabha presided by Sarpanch Allwyn Jorge unanimously resolved to ban sale/use or distribute plastics in the jurisdiction. Members, however, also asked the Panchayat to write to GWMC and GPCB on how to dispose off disposable diapers (pampers) and to send their representative at the next gram sabha for answering queries related to the issue of garbage management
in the village
Camurlim gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Basil Fernandes also adopted a resolution to ban plastic, but members also felt the issue would be resolved better by way of closing down the plastic bags manufacturing units.
The Navelim gram sabha also passed a resolution to ban plastic in the village. Chaired by Sarpanch Wilma D’Silva, it was further decided to launch an awareness drive in the village, educating the villagers
on the ban.
While adopting a resolution to ban plastic, the Benaulim gram sabha chaired by Dielle Pereira have decided to issue notices to the business establishments on the resolution banning the use of
plastic bags below 50 microns, while the gaddas owners will be orally informed of the decision.
