MARGAO
Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco has said the government has decided to ban the import of outside fish in the state to pre-empt Opposition attack in the ensuing session of the Goa Legislative Assembly beginning from Thursday.
The three-time Congress MLA demanded that while the government’s action, though a delayed one, is welcome, it should not spare all those guilty in importing fish laced with formalin from outside the state borders.
He demanded that the government take the ongoing inquiry into the formalin issue to its logical conclusion and bring the culprits to book. “I am certain that the government has taken the decision to ban the imported fish just to pre-empt the Opposition attack on the floor of the House in the ensuing Monsoon Session. But the government cannot abdicate its responsibility and should not spare efforts to bring to book all those involved in the import of fish laced with formalin from across the borders,” he added.
In the meantime, Reginaldo said he has given notice to the Secretariat to bring in three Private Members Bill, including the bill to bring clarity on the definition of “vessels” and “off-shore” casinos.
He pointed out that he has sent three calling-attention motions on the issue of narcotic drugs engulfing the young sections of the society, potholed and crater-filled roads and fish laced with formalin.
Reginaldo told the media that the Congress would collectively take up issues, including formalin in fish, move on nationalization of six rivers, coal hub, power woes, beef shortage triggered by vigilant groups and government’s overt and covert moves to turn Goa into a notorious casino gambling haven.
