MARGAO
Taking cognizance of the illegal and unauthorised nurseries operating in the State, Director of Agriculture has directed all Zonal Agriculture Officers (ZAO) to conduct inspection of illegal and unauthorised nurseries operating within their respective jurisdiction.
In his note, Agriculture Director Chandrahas Naik Desai told the Zonal Agriculture Officers that they may seek assistance from the police whenever necessary or identifying such establishments and initiating appropriate legal action against persons illegally selling plants through handcarts or any other unauthorised means.
“All Zonal Agriculture Officers shall take immediate action against the violators in accordance with the provision of the Act and submit a detailed inspection report to this Directorate within 15 days from the date of receipt of this note. This matter may be treated as ‘Most Urgent’,” the note stated.
The Agriculture Director’s note comes following a complaint lodged by GOACAN to his office alleging that ‘illegal and unauthorised nurseries are functioning in talukas along the roadside and sells ornamental and flowering plants on movable carts in and around the city areas and villages especially in Salcete taluka.
Saying these activities are in violation of the provision of The Goa Fruit and Ornamental Plants Nurseries (Regulation) Act 1995 (Goa Act 13 of 1997, the Agriculture director directed the zonal officials to immediately conduct inspection of illegal and unauthorised nurseries operating within their respective jurisdiction.
In its complaint, GOACAN Coordinator Roland Martins had drawn attention of the Agriculture Director to the illegal and unregistered nurseries still operating and selling plants on handcarts in Salcete taluka. Citing the most recent ones seen on the Nuvem-Margao western bypass, Martins had pointed out that these nurseries which sell both fruit bearing and flower bearing plants are clearly a problem for the consumers who approach them to purchase plants, etc.
GOACAN had urged the Agriculture Director to take necessary support from the concerned police station to act against those persons using handcarts to illegally sell plants to consumers. They further asked the Director to ensure that all licenced nurseries operating under “The Goa Fruit and Ornamental Plant Nurseries (Regulation) Act 1995” display the sign board with the information as specified in the Public Notice.
