MARGAO
Fish vendors using two-wheelers to transport and sell fish in villages and towns were fined Rs 2000 each for violating the provisions of the Motor
Vehicle Act.
Each of the 47 fish vendors, who were caught red-handed by the RTO officials in a surprise raid conductd on Monday, were fined Rs 2000.
RTO officer Pralhad Desai informed that while the violators were let off with a fine Rs 2000, those violating other provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act received additional penalties.
“The drive against the illegal use of two-wheelers to transport and sell fish will be intensified in the coming days. Private two-wheelers cannot be used to transport fish for sale in villages,” he said.
Transport Director Nikhil Desai had last week instructed the South Goa RTO to crack a whip against the fish vendors using two-wheelers to transport and sell fish in the villages following a complaint received from social activist Xavier Fernandes.
Xavier maintained that not only Goa-registered two-wheelers, but motorcycles from Karnataka were being freely used to transport fish baskets in gross violation of the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. He had pointed out to his complaint made to the health authorities to conduct surprise checks of such motorcycles. “I will continue to demand that the health authorities check the fish transported on motorcycles. By the time the fish reach the village, the ice melts and what remains in the baskets is plain water. This does not sound good news for the consumers,” Xavier added.
