the goan I network
PANAJI
In a move that will give some respite to the fishing community across the borders, the government on Tuesday was tinkering with the idea of allowing small traders (fisherwomen) from neighbouring states to sell their “small catch of fresh fish” in Goa.
Stating that he had met small traders (fisherwomen) from across the border on Tuesday, who had been sent to him by Karnataka MLA RV Deshpande, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane explained that these were people from Karwar and Shiroda (Maharashtra), who bought fresh fish from canoes and reached Goa “within 60 minutes.”
“Let me sit with FSSAI officials and think how we can allow this fish into Goa because these are small traders,” Rane told media via the ‘FDA’ WhatsApp group after meeting them. He however, did not make any commitment.
Expressing concern over letting these fisherwomen enter Goa might lead to other traders taking advantage of the situation, Rane said, “we need to examine the issue so that other traders don’t take advantage and make inroads into Goa in the guise of this”.
Rane said there was no question of going back on the fish ban. Those who comply with the FDA notification would be allowed to bring in fish. I am of the firm stand that there will not be any kind of relook on this issue,” he said adding, “we will do justice to the issue regarding the small traders across the border”.
The Health Department had last month imposed a ban on the import of fish in the wake of reports that formalin was being used as a preservative.
The FDA had issued certain guidelines for fish traders and wholesalers across the State to comply with inorder to import fish into the state.
K’taka delegation
meets Paliencar,
Chief Secretary
PANAJI: In the backdrop of the fish import ban imposed by Goa government, a delegation led by an MP, MLAs and fisheries officials from Karnataka called Speaker of Goa Assembly Dr Pramod Sawant, Fisheries Minister Vinoda Paliencar and Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma.
Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament, Nalin Kumar Kateel, leader of the Opposition in Karnataka legislative council, Kota Srinivas Poojary, Roopali Naik MLA from Karwar district, Raghupati Bhat MLA from Udupi and other officials were present for the talks.
