MARGAO
South Goa district Collector, Asvin Chandru has directed the Director of Fisheries to ensure that no individual shall be permitted to use the fishing trawlers or the premises at Cutbona Jetty as their shelter/place of stay.
The Collector, who has invoked powers under section 30 and 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, has further asserted that it shall be the responsibility of the concerned operator/owners to provide hygienic accommodation to their workers/labourers. This shall strictly implemented without exception, Asvin Chandru stated in his order.
Invoking the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to issue directions to the departments of Fisheries, FDA and Health for immediate containment of cholera outbreak at the Cutbona fishing jetty, the mandatory directives has further stated that all trawler owners are to be held responsible for maintaining hygienic conditions on their vessels. The highest standards of cleanliness must be upheld to prevent any further spread of disease, the order added.
On the sanitation front, the Collector ordered that all toilets on the trawlers and within the jetty area must be rendered fully operational and hygienic, adding “Additionally, sufficient bio-toilets must be installed to meet the sanitation requirements of all individuals frequenting the area”.
While calling for following proper waste management protocols, the order has directed the Fisheries director for immediate removal of all scrap and garbage from the trawlers and the jetty area is to be carried out.
The Balli Primary Health Officer has been directed to conduct frequent and systematic testing of all individuals present at Cutbona Jetty. Any persons exhibiting symptoms of cholera or other waterborne diseases must be tested and treated without delay, the order added.
The order has directed the Director of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to perform rigorous and regular testing of all food and water sources in the vicinity of Cutbona Jetty. Any contamination detected must be addressed immediately, and necessary steps must be taken to prevent the further spread of cholera through these vectors, the order stated.
The Collector has warned that non-compliance with any of the above directives will result in action under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and any other applicable laws.
