MARGAO
Teething issues seem to have delayed the launch of the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) unveiled by the Department of Environment & Climate Change for the collection and deposit of non-biodegradable garbage in the state.
In fact, the Department of Science & Climate Change has withdrawn the tender floated to facilitate the implementation of the scheme. Director of Science & Climate Change, Johnson Fernandes, told 'The Goan' that a fresh tender will soon be floated by the department after taking stakeholders into confidence.
“Certain teething issues have come to the fore after the department floated the tender. We have taken note of the teething issues, including some loopholes in the implementation of the scheme. The committee set up by the department to facilitate the implementation of the scheme will meet next week to discuss and deliberate on the issues and work out solutions,” he said.
Johnson further informed that the committee is contemplating inviting stakeholders for the meeting scheduled next week to address all issues before floating a fresh tender.
The Project Director of the Goa Coastal and Environment Management Society, Government of Goa, had on September 18 invited Expression of Interest (EOI) from eligible applicants for empanelment as “System Operator” for the Deposit Refund System (DRS) rollout in the State of Goa. The last date for submission of the Expression of Interest is 5 PM on 07-10-2024.
The Director of Science & Climate Change, however, has claimed that the tender stands withdrawn.
The Deposit Refund Scheme was notified in August last year to regulate the collection and deposit of non-biodegradable garbage, such as packaging waste. In this respect, the government was to appoint a scheme administrator for the purpose of implementing the notification. The scheme administrator was made responsible for the general management and implementation of the scheme within the state of Goa. They were given the powers, including the authority to appoint a system operator through competitive tendering for the purpose of implementing the Deposit Refund Scheme.
Meanwhile, the NGO GOACAN has expressed its concern about the Deposit Refund Scheme and has called for the scheme to be kept in abeyance until stakeholder consultations are completed.
In a press release, GOACAN expressed deep concern about the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) promoted by the Department of Environment & Climate Change, due to its implications for consumers who purchase products in the market and as taxpayers in their respective Village Panchayats and Municipal Councils. GOACAN Coordinator, Roland Martins, pointed out that the DRS was notified on 16th August 2024 in the official Gazette without extensive consultations with all concerned stakeholders. “After the village-based Consumer Forum volunteers informed us that there had been no discussion at the fortnightly Village Panchayat meetings, the quarterly Gram Sabha meetings, and the meetings of the Municipal Councils, GOACAN decided to write to the Director of Panchayats, Siddhi Halarnkar, and the Director of Municipal Administration, Brijesh Manerkar, on the issue,” he said.
He added: “As the DRS involves charging a fee over and above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), this will result in a violation of the Packaged Commodities Rules and will lead to traders/retailers being fined for violating the Rules. This will cause conflicts between retailers and consumers. Moreover, as Goa is a popular tourist destination, tourists could also become involved in such conflicts.”
