MARGAO: To address the trust deficit and restore people’s confidence and faith in fish that they purchase, the government has decided to launch a three-pronged attack that includes Food and Drug Administration representatives at the market, permitting only trucks with insulation to import fish and appointing an internationally renowned agency to test the quality of fish in the market.
This was disclosed by Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai in the presence of Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and Fisheries Minister Vinod Palyekar after a high level meeting to discuss the formalin issue which was attended by Chief Secretary, Health Secretary, Director General of Police amongst other officers.
As the Food and Drugs Administration does not have the wherewithal to test the fish in the markets they have been asked to identify within 48 hours an agency of international repute that will issue a phytosanitary certificate to the fish that is available in the markets.
“Since the FDA cannot issue such a certificate we shall appoint this agency to check the fish at the two check posts at Polem and Patradevi besides also testing the fish randomly at the wholesale and retail fish markets,” Vijai said.
Besides, he said the FDA will set up machinery to be present at the wholesale as well as retail fish market to allay any fears that the people may have about the fish. “People who have any doubts will be able to get their fish tested at these FDA outlets,” he said and admitted that this may take a fortnight to set up.
Vijai said the government is also in the process of implementing the circular that lays down the guidelines to import fish. “The guidelines make it mandatory to transport fish only in trucks that have insulators and vehicles transporting fish without insulators will not be allowed entry in the State,” he said.
It may be recalled that various sections of the society have been demanding that fish imported from other states be transported only in insulated vehicles and not trucks laden with ice.
“The executive powers of the government will be brought upon to ensure that no contaminated fish will reach Goans and these bold decisions will do away the mistrust amongst the people,” he said.
Vijai expressed confidence that once these decisions are implemented Goans will regain their confidence in the fish that is sold in the market and they will be back to eating their staple fish curry rice.
Dismissing the Congress charge of having gone to Delhi to barter a deal with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Vijai said he had gone to discuss only the formalin issue and how best to deal with it.
“The Congress is only fishing in troubled waters,” he said and added that the government is committed to provide good governance to the people of Goa.
