MARGAO: Asserting that no government would bow down to pressure, the Minister Town and Country Planning (TCP), Vijai Sardessai, on Saturday advised various lobbies including the fish vendors to follow the regulatory mechanism introduced by the government.
Speaking to media persons at a function here, he said conscious Goans expect the government to adopt the highest standards of quality control as today they are questioning whether what they are consuming is food or poison.
“If people want the highest standards of quality control, I think the government is bound to give that and people instead of pressurizing the government should comply with the requirements of the new mechanism,” he said.
“We will not be deterred by threats of pressure tactics from anybody whether within the State or from outside,” Sardesai said.
Pointing out that world famous Afonso mango is exported from Sindhdurg to foreign countries only after going through quality control tests, he said, the same quality control tests are sought to be done for fish being brought to Goa from those areas.
Sardesai was responding to Maharashtra MLA Nitesh Rane who had threatened not to allow Goa registration vehicles in Sindhudurg district, if FDA continues stopping fish carrying vehicles from areas like Devgad and Ratnagiri entering Goa.
“The National Commission on Population says Goa has the best quality of life and quality of life is not only per capita income and education, but also standard of quality control,” he said.
Arguing that it is not correct to ask Goans to consume something that is not certified to be safe, he said, nobody would be able to deter the government from doing what is best for Goa and Goans.
“The government does not want to ban any import, but what we are saying is that they should comply with the regulatory mechanism,” he said asserting that the government will not bow down to any pressure.
