MAPUSA
With barely a month left for the rollout of the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) in Goa, confusion and resistance appear to be brewing at the grassroots level, even as the government pushes ahead with its ambitious plan to install one Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) in every village panchayat.
In a memorandum to Block Development Officers (BDOs), Director of Panchayats Mahadev Araundekar has directed that all panchayats “extend full cooperation” for the installation of RVMs within their premises.
The directive comes amid growing unease among traders, consumers and now elected village representatives over the hurried implementation of the DRS in Goa – which is being projected as the first such initiative in India.
“The DRS aims to establish a structured and accountable mechanism for the collection and recycling of notified packaging material ensuring active participation from all relevant stakeholders. One Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) in each panchayat is to be installed,” Araundekar stated in his communication to the BDOs.
However, several sarpanchas contacted admitted they were unaware of the scheme or how it would function.
Assagao Sarpanch Hanumant Naik said he was “totally in the dark” about the government’s plan.
“Even if such a plan is there, we will have to place it before the gram sabha and take people’s views,” Naik said.
Naik pointed out that his panchayat is already grappling with mounting garbage complaints and routine waste management challenges.
“It will be very difficult to implement the scheme. Panchayat work will increase. The government should appoint its own person to manage the RVM. Otherwise, it will become an additional burden on the panchayat,” he said.
He also flagged concerns about public inconvenience.
“People will have to stand in queues. It will mean waste of time and money. The intention may be good, but the process appears too cumbersome for the public,” he added.
Parra Sarpanch Daniel Lobo echoed the uncertainty.
“Some people approached me about the scheme, but nothing much was discussed. We need to understand how it works. Right now, we don’t know,” Lobo said, even as he acknowledged that he had been told the scheme will benefit the environment.
Lobo also questioned its financial impact on citizens already reeling under inflation.
“If people have to pay a deposit amount, that will be an additional burden,” he said.
Several rural panchayats remained entirely unaware of the DRS and said they had not received any communication or instructions from their respective BDOs regarding the proposed installation of RVMs.
The government’s apparent urgency to implement the DRS – despite requests from traders and other stakeholders to delay its launch – has now triggered unease within panchayats themselves.
