Daijiworld News Network's special correspondent in Panaji

Panaji, Jan 31: Next time you come to Goa be sure that you don't carry a plastic bag.

While two municipal councils in Goa are going ahead with the strict implementation of ban on plastic carry-bags in their jurisdiction, another tiny panchayat of Chicalim village too has followed their footsteps.

Corporation of city of Panaji (CCP), covering capital city of Panaji and Mormugao municipal corporation,  having jurisdiction over the port town of Vasco, has taken steps to ban these bags under the environment protection act.

MMC's ban came into force from January 26 onwards, while CCP is awaiting science, environment and technology department clearance to modify its rule so that even bags more than 40 microns would be banned.

"We have written to the science, enviornment and technology department to modify the rules so that we can whole-heartedly implement the ban on all forms of plastic bags in our jurisdiction,'' stated CCP commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues.

The CCP has taken up a mission chaka chak panaji, a campaign to keep city clear of litter, and other waste. ``Anti-plastic drive is a part of campaign,'' Rodrigues adds.

The MMC on the other hand is happy with the plastic ban in the city. "We had given one month's notice to the people and implemented the ban on Republic day. Since then, not a single plastic bag is seen in the city. We have managed to educate everyone and people have taken the ban well,'' said MMC chief officer, Elvis Gomes.

Though this port town is connected with railway and airport, not a single case has been registered by the civic authorities.

Following a footsteps of these two major municipal councils, a tiny panchayat of Chicalim, too have offered their services towards environment protection. The panchayat during their recent gramsabha meeting resolved to have total ban on plastic bags in their jurisdiction.