the goan I network
MARGAO
All eyes are focused on the meetings of the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) and the Margao Municipal Council on November 26 as wholesale fish traders are hoping against hope that the two bodies will favourably consider their applications for NOCs and trade licences respectively.
However, while the SGPDA has listed the applications of the wholesale fish traders for NOCs on the meeting agenda, the MMC meeting is silent on the issue, as the agenda makes no mention of the applications moved by the fish traders for the trade licence.
Incidentally, while the SGPDA meeting is scheduled on November 26 morning, the Margao Municipal Council ordinary meeting is scheduled in the evening. It could not be ascertained whether the MMC would take up for discussions the applications mooted
by the fish traders for the traders in the ‘Any Other Business’ item.
Margao Municipal Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai, however, made it clear to The Goan that the Council does not want to rush with the issuance of trade licences without putting in place a mechanism to control the wholesale fish trade. “First and foremost, the wholesale fish trade is taking place in the SGPDA fish market. Primarily, it is for the SGPDA to first take the call on the issuance of NOC for the traders to conduct the wholesale fish business,” Babita said.
To a question, the MMC chairperson pointed out that the municipality will come into place only after the SGDPA decides to issue the NOC for the traders. “Let there be some mechanism wherein there is regulation of the wholesale fish trade,” she said.
It’s now around two months since around 28 wholesale fish traders had moved the Margao Municipal Council for the trade licences. The trade licences, however, have been kept on hold since the SGPDA is yet to issue the traders the NOCs to carry out the business in the wholesale fish market.
As per the August 2 Public Health Department’s circular, the wholesale fish traders cannot conduct business at the wholesale fish market unless they transport the fish in insulated containers and obtain the necessary NOCs/ trade licences from the concerned authorities.
FDA Director Jyoti Sardesai has pointed out that the wholesale fish traders will be eligible to conduct business at the wholesale fish market on condition they comply with the August 2 Public Health Department’s circular.
