the goan I network
MAPUSA
Almost 99 percent of the people exiting the Mapusa fish market leave with a plastic carry bag with one of the Goan’s staple diet inside the banned plastic bag.
Inside the fish market, every fish vendor has a bunch of plastic bags tucked under their arms unperturbed by the decision of the local council to ban plastic bags from April 2.
“Why are they harassing us? We shall continue using plastic bags. Let them come, we shall see,” said a defiant vendor even as she flipped out a carry bag and slipped a “vanto” (portion) of mackerals inside it before handing it to her eager customer.
A little further, another fish vendor opined that the decision makers should strike at the root of the problem instead of targeting the common man.
“Let them first stop the factories manufacturing plastic bags,” she said, apparently disturbed at the civic body’s direction to ban plastic bags.
The trend in the vegetable and fruit market is no better, with customers demanding plastic bags and the eager vendor obliging them.
“Saheb, humko yeh bag dena hi padta. Nahi tho humara gireak chale zate. (Sir, if we do not give them the plastic bag, we will lose our customers),” says Ismael, a fruit vendor.
Although a pile of newspapers is stacked next to him, the vendor says he has no option as customers ask for plastic bags.
The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has banned plastic carry bags of less than 50 microns in thickness in municipal area. A team headed by municipal inspectors will roam the city to implement the ban from Monday onwards.
Apart from imposing a fine, all unauthorized plastics will also be confiscated from the violators.
Most shopkeepers in the market disclosed that people ask for plastic carry bags and if they refuse, they move on to another shop.
“The authorities should issue minimum Rs 200 fine against customers carrying plastic bags. Only then, will customers refuse demanding carry bags,” said the owner of M/s Deepak Divkar, a general store that deals with pulses in the market.
Another wholesaler, Kashinath R Prabhu & Sons, said the MMC had been ranting about plastic ban some five years back, but nothing has changed on the ground.
The civic body’s awareness drive against plastics has not had the desired impact, as many vendors and shopkeepers were not aware of the April 2 ban.
“It makes no difference. There is no system in this country. They will make some noise for a few days and then everything will start as before,” said a shopkeeper.
Importantly, the vendors and shopkeepers The Goan spoke to were not given any alternative to plastic bags.
“No one has come to us with cloth bags or with any other alternative,” said Nanu, a vegetable vendor.
Clearly the perception against plastic has not changed on the ground even as people refuse to say a firm no to plastic carry bags.
