PANJIM: With the State government banning fish imports from others States, prices of fish, vegetables and meat in the capital shot up, forcing consumers to shell out extra cash or cut down on the quantity of purchases.
The Panjim fish market, which normally used to be bustling with activity, had only a few retailers with just 4-5 varieties of fish. Many Panjimites, who had come to buy fish, preferred not to take chances and were seen scouting for local fish without preservatives.
On Thursday at the Panjim fish market, lepo (sole fish) was sold at Rs 800 a kg, crabs at Rs 600, mudoshi (lady fish) at Rs 1,200 a kg, prawns at Rs 650 a kg whereas tisreo (shell fish) were sold Rs 200 a vantto (portion) which otherwise would cost Rs 100.
Fisherwomen selling shellfish told customers the fish was from Agassaim and was safe to consume. The number of vendors in the market was around 14 to 15, as women from the Hindu community stay away on Mondays and Thursdays.
Over the last few days, formalin has caused a panic amongst most fish-loving Goans, following the state Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) crackdown on fish from other states laced with the chemical.
Similarly, the prices of meat and ‘bhaji’, a local vegetable, inflated a day after the fishing ban came into force thereby increasing the demand for meat and vegetables.
Mutton, which used to cost around Rs 500 for half kg, on Thursday shot up to Rs 650, while the red amaranth, locally known as ‘tambdi bhaji’, which earlier used to cost Rs 20 for two bunches was priced at Rs 30. Similar was the case with other vegetables.
However, incidents such as this usually end up creating fear in peoples’ mind. Fish consumers all over the state are in a state of panic. Panjimites expressed their worry over the FDA’s findings of formalin content in fish.
