the goan I network
MARGAO
Despite the meeting called by Deputy Collector of Margao, Ajit Panchwadkar, to issue directions to stakeholders of the fishing industry to tackle the sanitary problems and migrant workers’ screening at the jetty, the ground reality remains unchanged.
Questions have been raised why there’s been no follow-up from the office of the Deputy Collector till date since neither the Fisheries department nor the fisheries societies have installed any temporary mobile toilets at the jetty.
The Balli Primary Health Centre drafted three separate teams to Cutbona area of Velim village to spread awareness among the local populace on dengue and steps required to be initiated to keep the disease at bay. The teams identified a number of breeding sites as well as potential breeding sites in and around the locality, while guiding the local residents how to eliminate these.
Balli PHC sanitary inspector Tulsidas Naik informed that the inspection team also came across breeding sites on country-made canoes anchored in river Sal near the fishing jetty, adding that necessary instructions have been issued to the owners to empty the water accumulated in the boats. “We have undertaken the special drive in view of the intermittent showers experienced in the last few days. These showers will result in water accumulation and if not tackled may turn into potential breeding sites,” Naik said.
Replying to a question, Naik said the health team has so far screened around 1300 migrant workers working on fishing vessels, while appealing to boat owners to get their work force screened.
Health officials admit in private that screening of 1300 workers is not an encouraging figure when more than 4000 workers operate from the fishing jetty.
As far as temporary mobile toilets are concerned, the Balli PHC has now decided to write a letter to the Cutbona-based fisheries societies to make necessary arrangements for mobile toilets.
“We are in receipt of a letter from the Fisheries Department stating that the fisheries societies will put the temporary mobile toilets in place. So far, there’s not a single temporary mobile toilet at the jetty,” Naik said, adding that the fisheries societies will be asked to put sanitation of the place at
the earliest.
