MARGAO
Welcoming the action initiated by TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai and Heath Minister Vishwajit Rane against the import of fish into the State, Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao on Tuesday demanded that the government should not issue trade licenses for wholesale traders at the lone wholesale fish market in Margao till the confidence of the fish-loving Goans is restored.
He, however, demanded that the government should arrest all those involved in importing the fish laced with formalin at the wholesale fish market in July last.
Addressing the media, the NCP’s Benaulim MLA demanded further that the laboratory sanctioned by Union Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu should also test the imported milk, fruits and vegetables, apart from fish to ensure that food consumed by Goans is safe. “I congratulate the two ministers, Vijai and Vishwajit, for the measures restricting the entry of outside fish trucks in the State. There were doubts raised in many quarters over the stand of the two ministers when the formalin in fish row erupted in July last. Today, I congratulate both Vijai and Vishwajit for their bold decision,” he said, while demanding that the government should not issue trade licenses for the wholesale traders till such time the confidence of the people of Goa in the fish available for sale is restored.
“We need to understand that in places on the east coast, there are no ice factories and hence they use formalin while transporting the fish to Goa,” he added.
Attributing formalin as the main cause of the rising number of cancer cases in the State, Churchill said that apart from fish, the authorities should check milk, fruits and vegetables imported into the State on priority.
“Let the action initiated by the government continue for some time as 50 per cent of Goans do not consume fish fearing the presence of formalin.”
Saying that Goa will not face fish shortage in the event imports are not allowed, Churchill, who is a trawler owner, exuded confidence that fish landing locally will suffice.
