the goan I network
MARGAO
Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) senior officer, Iva Fernandes, who has come under the scanner of senior authorities for her exposure of the fish laced with formalin at the Margao wholesale fish market, has found huge support for her action in her native village Colva.
At the special gram sabha of the Colva panchayat held on Sunday, members appreciated Iva’s work and the formalin exposure which has helped to spread awareness amongst the people about the health hazard posed by the fish laced with formalin.
Gram sabha members Alexandre mooted a resolution to honour the FDA senior official hailing from the village, who found instant support from Thomas Rodrigues, who seconded the resolution.
Thomas informed that the resolution was passed by the gram sabha members unanimously as members rallied behind the FDA officer for the formalin exposure. In fact, Thomas said that the members did not take lightly attempts made in certain quartres to mete out harassment to the FDA official. “One of the members even suggested that Iva be honoured at a function but we have decided for the moment to honour her at the next gram sabha,”
Thomas added.
Colva Sarpanch Anthony Mama Fernandes told The Goan that the special gram sabha has resolved to honour the FDA officer for her bold and courageous action against the fish laced with formalin. “We all support the FDA officer for her bold action. The panchayat body, which will meet shortly, will decide on the date to honour Iva,” Anthony said, adding that it was due to Iva’s bold action, that people were alerted on the sale of fish laced with formalin by some unscrupulous elements.
Incidentally, the Aam Aadmi Party, at its South Goa district office inauguration on Sunday, made a mention of the attempts made to mete out harassment to Iva Fernandes, which has forced her to knock the doors of the Goa Human Rights Commission for justice.
Political parties, including the Congress, have condemned the government authorities for the covert and overt attempts made to harass and silence Iva for her exposure of the fish formalin issue.
In fact, it was Iva Fernandes, who had confirmed the presence of formalin in the fish in the 17 trucks at
the wholesale fish market, importing fish from outside
the State.
