PANAJI
Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo on Friday expressed his agreement with the strategy of the Opposition Congress by which they disallowed the functioning of the Monsoon Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly seeking discussion on the fish laced with Formalin imbroglio.
“I agree with what they have done,” Lobo said with reference to Congress MLAs insisting that all other businesses be dropped to first discuss the ‘formalin in fish’ issue.
“Why should this issue be an Opposition issue or BJP issue? This is an issue that concerns all,” Lobo went on to add in comments that could deeply embarrass his Bharatiya Janata Party and the ruling coalition.
Known to be outspoken and politically unorthodox, Lobo also went on to add that pesticides and chemicals used in food material are a serious problem that affect Goans as well as tourists who visit the State in large numbers and their safety had to be ensured.
He blamed the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and other departments tasked with ensuring safety of food in the markets for the controversy.
Lobo, who represents Calangute constituency one of the hubs of Goa’s tourism industry, said the world over FDAs have offices in the markets from where they conduct regular checks on the use of illegal material and chemicals. “This is not happening in Goa. Officials are used to sitting behind desks. Let them now go out and conduct regular checks,” Lobo said of government staff at the FDA and other related departments.
Goa, he said, is aiming for big strides in tourism with Mopa and other major infrastructure developments. “What is the use of all these if food safety is not ensured,” Lobo asked.
Lobo’s comments were in sharp contrast to the position taken by his party, which has ridiculed the Opposition for disrupting the House proceedings ever since the Monsoon Session began on Thursday.
