NT Reporter Panaji
The state legislative assembly on Monday passed a bill amending the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garb-age (Control) Act, 1996, empowering the government to impose fines from Rs 200 to Rs 3 lakh for littering in public or private spaces.
The bill also empowers the Goa State Pollution Control Board to monitor industrial waste via a website and digital platform and impound vehicles used for illegal dumping of waste.
Disposal of any waste – biodegradable or non-biodegradable – into drains, rivers, lakes and other areas where it could pose a risk to public health, pollute water and soil, block drainage systems or disrupt sewage treatment has also been banned.
Bulk waste generators, waste collectors, recyclers and co-processors are all required to register on the GSPCB’s online portal.
The assembly also passed a bill amending the Goa Tax on Infrastructure Act, 2009, allowing infrastructure tax or service charge to be collected in two instalments – 50% at the time of technical clearance or development permission and 50% at the time of issuing the completion certificate.
