the goan I network
MARGAO
Two days after the SGPDA gave its nod for resumption wholesale fish trade in Goa’s lone wholesale fish market subject to conditions, six insulated trucks from across the Maharashtra border rolled into the wholesale market in the last two days -- perhaps the first time after a month-long stoppage of import of outside fish in the market.
While many an eyebrow was raised in the wholesale fish market after these vehicles unloaded fish, the wholesale traders told The Goan that the insulated fish transporting trucks had Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) certification.
Questions were raised whether the fish operations in the market had resumed even before the SGPDA could fax its letter to the FDA to check the vehicles whether they have complied with the August 2 circular issued by the Public Health Department.
While the SGPDA decision mandates the wholesale fish traders give an undertaking to the PDA to comply with the rules and regulations laid down by the FDA and the PDA, the wholesalers told The Goan that the insulated fish transporting trucks had FSSAI certification. They however, made it clear that since the PDA office is shut during the weekend and Monday being the feast of St Francis Xavier, the traders will formally submit their applications to commence business and undertake to comply with the FDA guidelines.
Both on Saturday and Sunday, insulated trucks from across the Maharashtra border arrived in the wholesale fish market after the PDA gave the green signal for resumption of the fish trade on Friday.
While three insulated trucks had made their presence felt in the wholesale fish market, around six trucks brought in fish from across the northern border on Sunday.
Sources close to the wholesale traders informed that the insulated trucks will commence full-fledged operations after they formally submit undertakings to the PDA agreeing to comply with the FDA guidelines. “We may not import fish during the next two days, because Monday being a holiday on the occasion of St Xavier’s feast and that there’s no big catch of fish along the Maharashtra coast in the last couple of days,” the source added.
When The Goan contacted the president of Margao Wholesale Fish market Association, Maulana Ibrahim to shed light on the development, he said the PDA has written to the Association that the traders can start their business after submitting undertakings to comply with the guidelines.
He said the trucks that brought in fish during the last two days had FSSAI certification and that the fish was brought in insulated vehicles, a condition laid down by the FDA. “We have all along promised to comply with all the guidelines. The insulated fish transporting vehicles came with moderate quantity of fish since the PDA has written to us about the Authority’s decision to permit wholesale fish trade,” Ibrahim said.
In the order, SGPDA Member Secretary Ashok Kumar had pointed out that the SGPDA wholesale fish market at Madel-Margao will be the designated point for all the fish traders carrying wholesale fish business, namely Goa Fishing Boat Owners’ Association/Margao wholesale fish market Association/Ramponkars and any other registered with the Directorate of Fisheries to assemble and carry out their wholesale fish trade subject to the compliance of FDA’s guidelines and other concerned departments such as Directorate of Fisheries etc.
Moreover, the order has strictly forbidden the traders from parking their vehicles, light/heavy at the SGPDA wholesale fish market after the business hours, after 10 am.
