Panaji: The Goa Legislative Assembly on Monday passed the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing stricter measures to curb the illegal disposal of waste and empower authorities to take punitive action, including impounding vehicles used for dumping garbage unlawfully.
The Bill was tabled by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on the floor of the House on Monday during the ongoing monsoon session, in the absence of Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira.
After a detailed discussion on the floor of the House, the Bill was passed unanimously.
Sawant said that the legislation amends the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1996, by adding new definitions such as “bulk waste generator”, “waste collector” and “materials recovery facility (MRF)”, while also expanding the Schedule to include more types of non-biodegradable waste like multilayer plastics, rubber, tetra packs, corrugated boxes and jute.
The chief minister said that under the amended Act, throwing garbage in public places, water bodies, or drains is now explicitly prohibited. Owners, occupiers, producers, importers and brand owners are mandated to ensure proper disposal of non-biodegradable waste through authorised systems.
The penalties have been significantly enhanced — repeat violations by residential offenders can attract fines up to Rs 5,000, while commercial establishments can be fined up to Rs 1 lakh, he said.
The Bill has mandated that in more serious breaches, such as those involving mass dumping or burning of waste, fines may go up to Rs 3 lakh along with imprisonment.
In an important provision in the Bill allows the police to impound vehicles used for illegal dumping of garbage. The driving license of the vehicle owner may be suspended for periods ranging from one to six months, and permanently in case of repeated violations. Fines for such offences can go up to Rs 1 lakh, the chief minister told the House.
Additionally, bulk waste generators, waste collectors, recyclers and co-processors are now required to register with the Goa State Pollution Control Board through an online portal and obtain prior authorization for waste disposal, he said.
The government has clarified that the Bill has no financial implications.
The law aims to strengthen Goa’s waste management framework, promote cleaner public spaces, and protect water bodies and ecosystems from pollution, he added.
