the goan I network
PANAJI
The Goa Legislative Assembly on Friday passed the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) (Amendment) Bill with provisions to levy heavy fines for manufacturing, import and sale of carry bags and single use plastic items.
Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral said the bill once it becomes law will be implemented from January 1, 2020. It provides for progressive penalties for repeat offences including for manufacture, import, storage, transportation or sale, use and throwing away of plastic carry bags, cups, straws, lids, cutlery, cello and poly film, metalised film, plastic cellophane paper and also for burning plastics in public.
For manufacture, storage and transport the fine is Rs 50,000 for the first offence, Rs one lakh for the second offence and Rs 3-lakh and possible imprisonment which may extend up to three months or both for every subsequent offence.
For use of banned plastics a fine of Rs 2,500 for the first offence, Rs 3,500 for the
second and Rs 5,000 or imprisonment which may extend to five days, or both.
A fine of Rs 10,000 for the first offence, Rs 20,000 for the second offence and Rs 50,000 or with imprisonment which may extend to one month or with both, for every subsequent offence, when it is in relation to commercial establishment;
Further, the bill also bans persons and commercial establishments from throwing plastic carry bags and related items or burning non-biodegradable garbage in public places.
For burning fine is of Rs.5,000 in case of simple burning, Rs. 25,000, in case of bulk burning, for the first offence and for subsequent offences Rs.10,000 for simple burning and Rs. 50,000 for bulk burning or with imprisonment which may extend upto a period of five days or with both.
The Bill, however, exempts export oriented units or the ones in special economic zones notified by the Central government, provided they do not allow their products for sale and usage within the state of Goa.
