PANAJI
The Goa government has constituted the Goa Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) Authority to oversee the implementation of the State's ambitious deposit-return mechanism for tackling non-biodegradable waste and improving recycling rates.
The authority, constituted by the Department of Environment and Climate Change under provisions of the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026, will be responsible for the overall management, implementation and monitoring of DRS pan-Goa.
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anthony de Sa, IAS, has been appointed Chairman of the authority. The body also includes chartered accountant Vinesh Pikale and senior representatives from Commercial Taxes, Excise, Legal Metrology, Municipal Administration, Panchayats, Tourism, the Goa Waste Management Corporation, the Goa State Pollution Control Board, and the Goa Coastal and Environment Management Society, whereas the Project Director of GCEMS will serve as Member Convenor.
As per the notification, the authority has been vested with wide-ranging powers to operationalise the scheme, which is expected to introduce a refundable deposit on specified non-biodegradable products and packaging. Consumers will be able to recover the deposit amount upon returning eligible items through designated collection systems.
“The authority will be responsible for managing the scheme's day-to-day operations, resolving implementation issues, coordinating with various departments and issuing necessary notifications for effective execution. It will also determine the date on which the scheme comes into force in Goa,” it said.
A major responsibility assigned to the authority is the creation and management of escrow accounts for collection of deposits and other fees associated with the scheme. The body will monitor all financial transactions linked to the DRS and prescribe registration procedures for manufacturers participating in the programme.
Among its other functions, the authority will conduct stakeholder consultations, establish a grievance redressal mechanism, define penalties under the scheme, set annual collection targets and launch public awareness campaigns to encourage participation in the deposit-return system.
The notification also empowers the authority to determine the deposit value for each item covered under the scheme and to ensure compliance by manufacturers, distributors, retailers, urban local bodies, gram panchayats, and other stakeholders.
