Say location of plant poses serious threat to hygiene, food safety
Officials of the Mandovi Fishermen Marketing Co-Operative Society Ltd while submitting a memorandum to Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar.
PORVORIM
The Mandovi Fishermen Marketing Co-Oprative Society Ltd has objected to the Penha de Franca panchayat’s proposal to construct of a Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) within Malim Jetty.
In the memorandum submitted to Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar, officials of the society demanded that the proposal be withdrawn and that an alternative non-operational government land be identified for the STP, so that the infrastructure and livelihood of the fishing community be protected.
Later speaking to The Goan, a society official Harshad Dhond said Malim Jetty is the only major fish landing centre in North Goa handling more than 20,000 metric tonnes of fish annually, while also providing direct and indirect livelihood to several thousands of fishermen and workers.
“Land within the complex is fully utilised for essential fisheries operations including fish landing, auctioning, ice production, vehicle parking, storage and movement of insulated and refrigerated vehicles,” said Dhond.
“The proposed location of STP within the complex poses a serious threat to the hygiene, food safety and export quality standard, which may affect adversely trade, public health, and the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen depending on this facility.”
Dhond further mentioned that the proposed STP forms part of the designated operational and parking area of the fishing jetty.
“Any diversion of this land will cause severe congestion and obstruction of daily fisheries operations and it is not even 100 metres away from the existing Ice plant. Land was acquired and developed exclusive for fisheries-related purposes and any diversion for non-fisheries infrastructure amounts to change in use land contrary to the original purpose of acquisition.” “In view of the all these concerns, the Mandovi Fishermen Co-Operative Society has objected to the setting of a STP at the Malim Jetty,” added Dhond.
