Panaji: A coalition of major industry associations has sought deferment of the proposed Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS), scheduled to be implemented from April 2, citing concerns over its economic, operational and social impact in Goa.
In a joint representation dated January 16 to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, 13 industry bodies, including the Indian Beverage Association, FICCI, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Goa State Industries Association, said the scheme should be deferred due to the absence of stakeholder consultation and potential implications for consumers, retailers and businesses.
The associations have requested the constitution of a joint working group comprising industry representatives, consumer groups, local bodies and technical experts. They have also sought immediate stakeholder consultations, stating that the scheme affects an industry valued at approximately Rs 21 lakh crore nationally and requires detailed review to ensure alignment with ease of doing business and on-ground realities.
The Deposit Refund Scheme, notified under the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1996, extends beyond beverage containers to include packaging used across FMCG products such as food items, personal care products and essential hygiene articles. The industry bodies said the expanded scope would increase upfront costs for consumers, particularly affecting price-sensitive and lower-income households purchasing products such as sanitary napkins, diapers and packaged food.
The associations said consumers would face a dual financial burden by paying deposits on packaging while also paying higher waste management charges, despite existing Extended Producer Responsibility obligations. They said rural consumers with limited access to collection centres may be unable to claim refunds, resulting in forfeiture of deposits.
Operational challenges were also highlighted, with industry bodies saying pan-India FMCG manufacturers would need to adopt state-specific packaging, labelling, pricing and inventory systems for Goa. They said enforcement mechanisms for online marketplaces and direct-to-consumer platforms remain unclear. The representation also raised concerns over counterfeiting, adequacy of collection infrastructure, impact on micro enterprises, disruption to waste pickers and recyclers, digital refund mechanisms for consumers without smartphones, handling of bulk supplies to hotels and integration with the national EPR portal.
