MARGAO: Amidst reports of fish being brought in Goa through inter-state buses without refrigeration, Margao Wholesale Fish Market Association (MWFMA) has demanded that the permit of the buses found bringing such consignments should be cancelled.
In a press statement MWFMA President Maulana Ibrahim said that it was for the government authorities to check what is bring brought in the state and not for their organization.
While pointing out that one box was found in Margao on Friday he said “Some boxes containing fish were unloaded in Panjim today. This fish may not be safe for consumption as it is just packed in boxes without any insulation or refrigeration facility.”
He questioned why no action was taken against the owners of the vehicles in which these fish boxes were transported to Goa. Pointing out that the FDA Minister Vishwajit Rane has made it mandatory for them to import fish only after obtaining all licenses, he wondered whether licenses were obtained by people transporting fish in buses.
He further said that taking no action against the people who are bringing unsafe fish in boxes would mean that the minister is encouraging and supporting illegal trade in fish. He cautioned that transporting fish in boxes would affect the entire trade of importing fish and demanded immediate action against it.
Meanwhile police have tightened inspection of goods bring brought in Goa through the Polem check post besides also checking goods at the KTC bus stand at Margao. Railway police have also been instructed to check the material being brought.
On Friday two bundles of shell fish were unloaded at the Margao Railway station and transported in two rickshaws. However, FDA checked both the rickshaws and directed the party to dispose the shell fish without selling them in the market and cautioned the party not to get such stock by train in future.
