the goan I network
OLD GOA
The St Cruz panchayat
has decided to ban use of plastic bags in the village, which will come into effect from January 6.
In this connection, an awareness was created by panchayat authorities accompanied by local MLA Tony Fernandes on Saturday.
The awareness was started in the market where the shopkeepers, vendors and others were told not to provide plastic bags from Sunday, as anybody found violating the ban would attract a fine of Rs 5,000 as well as an FIR would be registered as per the law.
Santa Cruz Sarpanch Disha Kavlekar, panchas Indira Fernandes, Lawrence Rodrigues, Namdev Naik, Prasad Naik and villagers participated in the awareness drive.
They were accompanied by students of Santa Cruz high school led by teacher Judith Sequeira.
Speaking to the media, MLA Fernandes said the initiative to ban plastic in Santa Cruz was taken up as people voiced concern over growing plastic menace in the village.
“If plastic use is reduced, 50 percent of the waste problem will be taken care of,” said Fernandes, while adding it would also keep villagers healthy as burning of plastics causes cancer.
“People should understand that it is for their own benefit to stop using plastic. They should make use of cloth bags, paper bags, biodegradable bags instead,” he suggested.
The MLA also said he would take up the issue of banning manufacturing of plastic bags in the State.
“I will take up the issue in the Assembly and try to persuade the government to impose such a ban,” said Fernandes, but added that since the upcoming Assembly session is a very short one he may not get opportunity to speak on the same.
Sarpanch Kavlekar urged the villagers not to ask for plastic bags from shopkeepers or vendors when they go to make purchases.
“Carry your own cloth
bags and use the same when marketing. Monitoring will be done by the panchayat as well as concerned villagers who have willingly come forward to help,” the sarpanch said.
