Testing Fish with Formalin, A Serious Matter

Lawrence Fernandes

It was highly disappointing to read the news "Now, RTO Inspectors may test fish at Borders" (Herald, September 6, 2018). This in fact, is a big joke!

I cannot understand why the Government is taking such a serious matter so lightly despite the fact that it is a matter of life and death for the citizens who are also the tax payers and at whose largesse the elected representatives enjoy their luxurious existence.

The Departments concerned are passing the buck and throwing the ball in the court of strangers, who are not at all concerned nor has any knowledge of the subject matter.

It is pertinent to note that the FDA which is supposed to have the domain expertise, has surprisingly tried to insulate themselves from the responsibility by foolishly claiming to be understaffed and further adding to the fiasco by trying to pass their responsibility to the Road Transport Department, who are only trained to regulate and implement law/order with respect to traffic and related responsibilities. The government which seems to be on crutches due to increasing number of 'sick' ministers should resign, else the governor should recommend dissolution of the government to avoid hardship to the people due to the collapse of the administration.

It is high time Government looks at the situation with a high degree of concern and gives its utmost attention to save the public from further damage.

I would strongly suggest that the Government give it a thought and request Indian defence personnel from units viz. Army, Air Force and Indian Navy, who are well trained in various domains and have time and again displayed the ability to rise to the occasion when the situation demands, as seen recently from their coordinated effort in saving thousands of civilian people in Kerala and Kodigu district in Karnataka during the sudden floods. And they are the ones who are ultimately saving the nation. It may not be difficult to deploy them as most of them are based at a stone's throw away locations such as 2 Signal Training Centre, Bambolim, Altinho Panjim, Davorlim-Navelim, INS Hansa, INS Gomantak Dabolim, Vasco da Gama, etc. A little training to these personnel and they will do a world of difference in discharging the responsibilities of the FDA at the border in checking the fish being brought in from other States. However, it is self contradictory fact if a recent report says that we have enough fish in the market and there is absolutely no need to import fish from other States risking our lives. If that is the case, the entire problem of short staffing is taken care off.