TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Following repeated demands from several legislators to ensure that fish which is presently sold at exorbitant prices is made available at subsidized rates, Goa government has assured that it would find a solution to the issue as it has already procured five stalls to sell fish at affordable price from October.
“From October onwards, government fish stalls vending fish at reasonable rates would be launched in the State. In the first phase, a total of five stalls have been purchased which will be run by Fisheries co-operative societies,” Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado told the House on Monday responding to cut motion moved by Opposition benches on fisheries. These stalls will in fact be portable coolers.
The minister also announced banning the sale of more than one kilogram of fish to an individual and to maintain strict vigil to ensure that the fish is not sold to hoteliers. The legislators had alleged that Goans are not only forced to pay increasing price for fish, they are also deprived of the staple food as it is sold in huge quantity to hoteliers.
Furtado conceded that increasing price of fish is an issue of concern since it is out of common man’s reach. “Hence, we are committed towards providing affordable good quality fish to the locals… The escalating fish price is not a recent problem but is affecting Goans for years. With increase in fishing ban period from 45 days to 61 days, we are expecting the fish catch to go up this year,” Furtado said.
The minister also assured to launch special fishing vessels which would train youth in deep sea fishing, before the forthcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival on August 29. He said the local youth will be recruited for a period of six months (probably in batches) to go deep sea fishing. “The fish catch will then be sold at fish stalls at reasonable rates,” he said.
With the government contributing Rs 3 crore towards the welfare of the fishermen recently, he said that problem of fishermen is a priority on the government’s mind. Patting the ruling coalition on the back for ending violation of fishing rules by the neighbouring States’ vessels, he said local trawlers have been given uniform colour code for identification.
In yet another assurance, the Fisheries Department will commission modern control room before the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The minister listed out a number of schemes and insurance cover for the fishermen and trawler owners.
