Team Herald
PANJIM: Reiterating its stand that the government would not bow down to any pressure on the fish import issue, Goa Forward Party (GFP) president and Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai on Sunday said the government aims to restore the confidence of people on the fish they consume.
Addressing media persons at the launch of party’s toll-free helpline number, Sardesai even agreed to concede to Congress president Girish Chodankar’s demand to appoint Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) officer Iva Fernandes at the wholesale fish market to check the imported fish, if that will restore the public confidence in the fish they consume.
“Goa may be a small state but not a soft state. Someone will threaten us and we will roll back the guidelines imposed on import of fish, then that question does not arise. According to me, as president of GFP and alliance partner, we under no circumstance will roll back the guidelines, irrespective of whoever threatens us,” Sardesai said.
He was referring to Maharashtra MLA Nitesh Rane’s statement threatening not to allow Goa registration vehicles in Sindhudurg district, if FDA continues to stop the fish transporting vehicles from areas such as Devgad and Ratnagiri to Margao.
“We will not compromise on our staple diet. People have lost faith and confidence on the fish that they are buying and it is duty of the government to restore the confidence back amongst people,” the minister said and added that the “FDA Minister Vishwajit Rane is doing a very good job and we are with him.”
Sardesai said, “The government has not imposed any ban on the fish import but what we are saying is that you follow the guidelines and start the trade. You media people said we are supporting fish mafia, now we are going heavily against them”.
