PANAJI
The Fisheries department has given fishermen up to six months to install toilets on trawler boats, four days after issuing an order without specifying a deadline.
Minister for Fisheries Nilkanth Halarnkar stated the time will ensure enhancing the living and working conditions of fishermen while on board.
The department had last weekend directed mandatory installation of toilets on fishing vessels under the Merchants Shipping A t 2014. “In the wake of the recent resurgence of water borne disease and vector-borne disease among the crew working at the jetties, and the subsequent decisions are taken, the boat owners will have to immediately install 2 toilets on trawlers having 30 labourers while trawlers with 15 labourers should install l toilet, before venturing into the sea,” the order, sans a deadline, stated.
Meanwhile, the minister claimed that cholera and dengue has come under control at Cutbona jetty. No new cases are reported, he added.
To prevent future outbreaks, the government has instructed boat owners to mandatorily make health cards for their crew and directed the health department to conduct regular check-ups.
