The scheme will hurt Goans with price hikes, job losses, and benefits only a Hyderabad company
Goa’s existing waste recycling system, employing thousands, will be destroyed
Panaji, Goa – In a fiery press conference held at AAP’s Panaji office, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) State President Adv. Amit Palekar tore into the Pramod Sawant-led BJP government, exposing what he called the “biggest scam in the making” – the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS). Palekar slammed the government for its underhanded attempt to impose an unfair burden on Goans under the guise of environmental protection, while secretly profiting select private players.
“Deposit Refund Scheme will be the biggest scam of the BJP government,” Palekar asserted, raising serious concerns about the scheme’s legitimacy and intentions.
On August 12, 2024, a government gazette quietly announced the introduction of DRS under the Environment Protection Law, designed to reduce non-biodegradable waste in the state. According to this scheme, consumers will pay a “deposit rate” for goods packaged in non-biodegradable materials, such as plastic, aluminum etc which can only be refunded upon returning the waste to designated centers.
“BJP, now known as the ‘Bhrashta Janata Party,’ has corrupted every sector and is now eyeing the waste management sector for profits. They’re appointing a Hyderabad-based company that failed miserably during its pilot project in Kedarnath. Why is the Sawant government intent on making this company rich at the cost of Goans?”, he questioned.
The AAP leader warned that the scheme will directly hit the pockets of Goans. The government will not collect waste door-to-door. Common people will have to bear the extra costs of DRS and spend their own money to deliver the waste to collection centers. How can a government, already hiking the prices of essentials like milk and vegetables, ask people to pay more and then drive to collection points to return plastic bottles?”, questioned Palekar.
Palekar also highlighted the severe impact the scheme will have on jobs and small vendors. “Goa already recycles 90% of its plastic waste through 196 Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) across the state, which employ thousands. This scheme will make those facilities obsolete, leaving people jobless and pushing small vendors out of business,” Palekar said.
He explained that the MRFs, created in partnership with private stakeholders, have developed an efficient system for waste segregation. The new DRS law will shut these facilities, giving the lucrative recycling work to a single private company while leaving the low-value waste for existing facilities. “Why destroy a system that is already working well?” asked Palekar. “Why hand over profitable recycling to a private entity while hurting local workers?”
Palekar detailed how the scheme could cause widespread harm:
- The price of daily-use goods will rise by 10-20%
- Jobs in garbage collection and recycling will be lost as the scheme will cripple the Material Recovery Facilities
- With most of the high-value recyclable material taken out of the system, the remaining low-value waste will cease to be picked up, leading to garbage heaps across State
- This scheme will encourage smuggling from neighboring states, where goods will be cheaper
“The real intent of DRS is to provide recyclable garbage for free to a single company while burdening Goans with increased costs. The Sawant government is selling Goa’s waste for profit, and the people are the ones who will suffer,” Palekar said.
AAP has sounded the alarm over the Deposit Refund Scheme, calling it the BJP’s latest ploy to rob Goans. “This is a scam of monumental proportions. The BJP has stooped so low that they are now doing corruption in waste management. The people of Goa must come together to stop this scheme before it ruins lives and businesses”, said AAP Working President Valmiki Naik.
Also present at the press conference were AAP Vice President Roque Mascarenhas and AAP State General Secretary Francis Coelho.
