PANJIM: As the locals are feeling the pinch of skyrocketing fish prices, the Congress has sought Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant’s intervention to ensure that fish is not exported outside the State during the lockdown.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar also demanded opening of fish markets for the public by maintaining social distancing and hygiene instead of letting fly-by-night traders fleece the public.
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Chodankar said that the chief minister should issue directions to the department of fisheries to ensure that those fishermen availing government subsidies should stop exporting and selling fish outside Goa immediately.
He further said nearly 40-45 per cent Goan fish catch is exported every year and Goans are forced to consume left over fish at very high prices. “If our money is used for subsidies we should get first preference to choose fish,” he said.
“Fishing industry in Goa, has an annual catch of nearly 1,00,000 tonnes, surprisingly Goans have been deprived of quality and affordable fish despite Goa Government is giving subsidies on Fuel, nets, insulated boxes etc to the tune of Rs. 108 Cr annually,” Congress president said.
Government has to also study and act on the declining fish catch in Goa and should assist the industry to overcome this problem, he said.
Chodankar also urged the chief minister to direct the health officials to provide safety kits to the staff employed on ferry boats as they cannot maintain social distancing while on duty and are exposed to hundreds of passengers every day. “They feel completely insecure with the Government not responding to their demands,” he said.
Due to the ongoing nationwide lockdown, though Central government has exempted fishing activities and its trade, State government has allowed only door-to-door sale of fish.
Meanwhile, Chodankar slammed the MLAs who defected to the BJP for waking up to the issue of seafarers, late.
“I am happy that most of the newly imported ministers and MLAs have woken up from their slumber after Congress leaders sent data to the prime minister on stranded Seafarers and are now trying to send messages to people on social media,” he said.
