BEWARE! FISH IMPORTERS
>> Post-Dusshera, the government will order crackdown on fish importers who don't comply with the August 2 circular
>> The circular mandates traders to register with the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and transport fish only in insulated trucks
>> Unregistered trucks will not be allowed to enter the state at the borders, the move is expected to automatically ban import of fish
>> October 15 has been set as the cut off date for the traders to comply with the circular or face action after Dusshera festival
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PERMANENT FDA
UNITS IN OFFING
>> FDA units at the SGPDA wholesale and retail fish markets to be established by Dusshera
>> Work on the FDA’s administrative office in Margao will be ready by December end
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MARGAO: In a bid to restore confidence of the fish loving people and to offset opposition criticism on the safety of fish sold in the markets, the government on Monday resolved to rope in an agency of international repute, either from Japan, Singapore or Dubai to strengthen the mechanism of checking fish and ensure that fish sold in the state is not laced with formalin and preservatives.
Post-Dusshera, the government will order a crackdown on fish importers who don't comply with the August 2 circular, mandating traders to register with the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and transport fish only in insulated trucks. The decision implies that unregistered trucks will not be allowed to enter the state at the borders, with both Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai saying the move will automatically ban import of fish in the state.
It was further resolved to immediately set up permanent FDA units in the SGPDA wholesale and retail fish markets to maintain vigil on fish sold in the markets.
The high level committee meeting attended by TCP Minister, Vijai Sardesai, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, Fisheries Minister Vinod Paliencar, besides Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma, health Secretary Ashok Kumar, DGP Muktesh Chander, FDA Director Jyoti Sardesai and other officials decided to scout for an international agency with the help of Central authorities such as the Food Safety and Security Authority of India within 24-48 hours.
Briefing the media after the meeting at the Matanhy Saldanha Administrative Complex on Monday noon, the Health Minister said the nomination of the international expert agency will be done through the Cabinet. “It has been resolved to put in measures on par with international standards. The international agency will be integrated with the FDA. We have already spoken to FSSAI and other central agencies and we will meet again within 24-48 hours to discuss the matter and nominate the expert international agency through the Cabinet,", Rane said.
On the registration of fish traders with the FDA, the Health Minister said the August 2 circular mandates that all traders register with the FDA. Those who do not register will be automatically barred from entering the state. “The traders should either comply with the circular or they will be barred from importing fish. We have set October 15 as the cut off date for the traders to comply with the circular or face action after Dusshera,” Rane warned, adding that the FDA will post teams at the Polem and Patradevi borders for checking of fish after Dussehra.
TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai said it was agreed at the meeting to establish FDA units at the SGPDA wholesale and retail fish markets by Dusshera to facilitate testing of fish sold in the markets. “Work on the FDA’s administrative office in Margao will be ready by December end,” he said.
Refuting reports that the government is going soft against the fish mafia and traders, the TCP Minister warned of unprecedented action against unscrupulous traders after Dusshera. “We do not rule out anything. We will go to any extent to ensure that fish sold in the markets is free from any substance and safe for consumption,” he warned, adding that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has given his nod for initiating stringent action and ensure that Goans receive quality and safe fish.
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Now, no place for stale
fish in Goan markets
MARGAO: Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma said that the proposed mechanism which is sought to be put in place on par with world standards will not only test the imported fish for any preservatives, but will also check if fish sold is stale or fresh. The Chief Secretary said trucks entering the state with fish will be issued a stamped certificate and they will have to move out after disposing the goods.
The comments of the Chief Secretary came after the media drew his attention to the present practice of fish trucks stocking unsold fish in the vehicles for sale the next day at the wholesale fish market. “Present situation has arisen because of disruptions in the fish supply. There’s a stock build up because of the demand. But, this is a temporary phase. When the government employs the international agency, it will not only find out whether fish is laced with formalin, but whether the fish available for sale is fresh or stale and is fit for consumption,” he said.
“Till the FDA builds its own capacity, we will go for enhanced capacity by roping in an expert agency with expertise on par with world standard. The agency will check not only formalin, but whether fish sold is fresh or stale,” he added.
TCP Minister, Vijai Sardesai further said that the SGPDA will not allow parking of fish laden trucks at the wholesale fish market, saying the government will put in mechanism to track the trucks so that stale fish is not sold in the markets.
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Vishwajit calls 'probing'
Congress leaders 'jokers'
MARGAO: The opposition Congress came under fire at the high level meeting, with Health Minister Vishwajit Rane terming as “jokers” the Congress leaders who had come to the SGPDA retail fish market to check formalin, even as TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai reminded that those creating artificial panic would be liable for prosecution for anti-social activity. Apparently referring to the presence of AICC general secretary Dr Chella Kumar at the PDA retail fish market to check if fish contained formalin, Sardesai said “the Congress High Command was present in the PDA retail market, without forgetting for a moment that the supposedly formalin fish which was brought into Goa had come from the East coast, from where this High Command comes”.
The two Ministers took pot shots at the Congress for raking up the formalin issue for political ends, even as they reiterated their resolve to ensure that fish sold in the markets is not laced with any formalin.
“These jokers, including the Congress leader from Chennai had come to the market to create panic. They have played with the sentiments of the Goan people. They should be put behind bars,” Rane added.
