Handcarts selling plants in and around Salcete.
Taking cognisance of the illegal & unregistered nurseries operating & selling plants on handcarts in Salcete Taluka especially the most recent ones which can be seen on the Nuvem-Margao western by-pass, NGO GOACAN has called for action against Illegal & unregistered nurseries operating & selling plants on handcarts in Salcete Taluka.
The NGO has written to the Zonal Agriculture Officer, Margao pointing 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. in good faith.
February 15, 2018 was the last day for the licensed Plant Nurseries to fulfill the conditions as listed in the Public Notice dated 1st February 2018 issued by the Directorate of Agriculture.
GOACAN has further stated in its letter that the ZAO has the mandate to shut down all illegal & unregistered nurseries operating in its jurisdiction by taking the assistance of the Revenue Department and Goa Police.
"It may be noted that inaction by your office against such illegal activities comes within the purview of the Consumer Protection Act 2019. As a deficiency of service, it would eventually result in consumers resorting to litigation which could definitely be avoided if preventive steps are taken in time”, stated GOACAN Convenor Roland Martins.
He has requested the ZAO, Margao to act immediately by: Taking necessary support from the local Police Station to act against those persons using handcarts to illegally sell plants to consumers and ensure that all licensed 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 dated 1st February 2018" states the GOACAN letter.
Copies of the GOACAN letter have been sent to the Secretary Agriculture, Director of Agriculture, Member Secretary Goa State Biodiversity Board, Dy. Collector & SDO-I (Salcete), SP South Goa Police and Director Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs.
