India has made a commitment to eliminate the usage ofsingle-use plastics by 2022 and Goa participated to do its bit. The ban onsingle-use plastic is a welcome step but the implementation has been lax. InPanaji market complex, the vendors disburse goods in plastic carry bags on thepretext that the consumer should claim ownership if the vendor is caught by theauthorities. This shows that people have not accepted the fact that plastic isa major cause of concern for the environment but instead want to avoidpenalties. Bringing only the registered owners under the purview of the lawonly shows that the authorities are oblivious to the roadside vendors ofvegetables, fruits, fish and flowers (festive season). These small vendorsconstitute the greatest contributors given the scale on which they operate onthe entire road network in Goa. Who is to blame? The customers who do not carrytheir own bags or the vendors who give it? Merely banning the use of plasticwill not suffice until the manufacturing is stopped, and most importantlyimplementation is done in a strict manner. Society should make a habit ofkeeping a carry bag with them (preferably of cloth) while stepping out of thehouse. If this habit is inculcated, then authorities are not required to tacklethe problem. The problem will be solved and Goa will be at the top spot withinno time.
