PANAJI: Mayem MLA Premendra Shet said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has directed authorities to seize all Plaster of Paris (POP) Ganesh idols entering Goa in an effort to curb the sale of POP idols, which are considered harmful to the environment.
Addressing the media on Friday after meeting the CM at his Altinho residence in Panaji, Shet said authorities have been instructed to stop the entry of POP idols at the State's borders. "We have been instructed by the Chief Minister to seize the idols at the State borders. Any idols made from POP will be checked at the border and sent back," Shet said.
He added that POP idols manufactured within Goa will also face scrutiny. "The Goa State Pollution Control Board will inspect idols made within the State and take necessary action if they are found to be made of POP," he said.
Shet further said that complaints regarding POP idols have been regularly submitted to the Goa State Pollution Control Board over the past few years.
"We have been filing complaints with the Pollution Control Board for the last two to three years. The Board checks the percentage of POP used in the idols. There is a proper procedure that they follow to inspect POP idols," he said.
