ABEL BARRETTO

The Quality Council of India (QCI) personnel testing the fish, which is coming into Goa at Polem border behind closed doors at its laboratory, has become a hot topic of discussion in Canacona taluka

The lab set up to analyse the fish, was meant to allay fears amongst fish eaters and build confidence amongst the public. However, it has instead, raised more doubts as a flex board displayed at the entrance of the lab says it’s a ‘Restricted Area, Authorized Personnel Only’.

Local whistleblower Vishant Prabhu complained about the procedural practice of testing the fish for presence of chemicals behind closed door and called for better transparency in order to achieve its goal of building confidence amongst the people whereby the public should trust that the tests are credible.

“The authorities have to make sure that only fish free from formalin and ammonia has to be allowed in Goa for sale emphasized Prabhu.

Against this backdrop, the main fish market at Chaudi and other satellite fish markets have been sporting a deserted look.