Goa, June 6 -- Goa's ambitious ban on single-use plastics, implemented on October 2, 2019, has largely fallen flat due to weak enforcement and sporadic action by authorities. On World Environment Day 2025, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant candidly admitted that the ban "remained merely on paper," acknowledging that despite being backed by legislation and penalties, it has had little real-world impact.

The ban, introduced through amendments to the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act in August 2019, prohibits the manufacture, import, sale, and use of single-use plastic items. Fines range from Rs.2,500 to Rs.3 lakh, with possible imprisonment for repeat violators. However, implementation has been inconsistent-mostly limited to occasiona...