The formalin-in-fish scare surfaces yet again. And this time we hear calls for challenges and debates. Random tests conducted by Congress leaders at the SGPDA retail fish market on fish revealed some startling results. Day-to-day fish of the common man like sardines, mackerels, pompfret and shrimp tested positive for formalin.
It’s only an act of political frustration, screamed Health Minister Vishwajit Rane in defence. And soon there were voices raised for challenges and urgent calls for debates from both Rane and the Congress Party. With clouds of uncertainty hovering over the State, undoubtedly there is politics playing in the background. For all we know, the Congress is trying every trick in the book to dislodge a feeble-looking coalition which is grappling with a serious leadership crisis for the past few weeks. And like any opposition, it is obvious that they’ll rub it in at every opportunity that comes by to embarrass the government. But that’s not the story Goans are interested in for now.
The health ministry should keep politics aside and treat this formalin issue in all its neutrality and seriousness. This can’t be discarded as political drama. And all those political debates and theatrics can wait. This is a very serious issue that threatens the very staple food of Goans and it needs to be addressed on a topmost priority. Goans are not interested in your political challenges on formalin, neither are people going to feed themselves on your debates and shows of one-upmanships. In fact, people are tired and sick of that. All we want is our xit-kodi-nustem.
Instead of giving a political hue to the formalin issue, it’s high time the government deals with it openly. People have to be equipped with easily available subsidized fish-testing kits. The high court while hearing the formalin-in-fish case has recently asked the FDA to set up stalls at a few fish markets and make these available for the public to quell their doubts. If there is formalin-laced fish entering the markets, it is going to be detected at some point in time. How will the FDA respond then?
The skeletal team of FDA may be working overtime in chasing formalin-laced fish, but there has been a huge trust-deficit that has built up since the infamous flip-flop on tests that happened in July. It’s going to take a sustained effort to wipe off those memories. And instances like this latest spot test, which showed formalin-positive, are only going to make it worse.
There has to be a full-time FDA team at the wholesale market testing fish from possibly every vehicle that comes in. Random tests as they are conducted now can’t be fool-proof, and people are not going to be convinced. This is one reason why we see hordes of people flocking early morning to Benaulim beach and several other beaches across Goa to buy baskets of fresh fish from the traditional fisherman. Keep politics aside and work sincerely in the supreme interest of the people that have put their trust in you.
