Margao: The All Goa FMCG and Telecom Distributors Association (AGFTDA) on Sunday called on Alex Sequeira, MLA and chairman of the Law Commission, to press their opposition to the deposit refund scheme (DRS) proposed to be implemented in the state from Apr 1. The delegation handed over a copy of their representation addressed to chief minister Pramod Sawant opposing the scheme.The association, represented by president Darryl Pereira and general secretary Chetan Kapdi, has written to the chief minister urging govt to scrap the DRS in its present form, calling it “ill-conceived, anti-consumer and anti-industry.”
In their letter, the association outlined wide-ranging concerns across the supply chain. On consumers, they argued the scheme effectively functions as a hidden price increase, forcing people to pay deposits upfront and recover their money only by transporting used bottles and cans to collection centres, despite already paying garbage taxes to local bodies. They warned the scheme would disproportionately burden senior citizens, persons with disabilities and low-income households.For retailers, the association flagged blocked working capital, increased disputes with customers over above-MRP charges, and a heightened risk of harassment by enforcement authorities. The association also cautioned that the scheme could damage Goa’s tourism image by imposing what visitors may perceive as an unexplained surcharge.
