the goan I network
PANAJI
With the formalin-in-fish scare refusing to die down, the Goa government on Saturday decided to impose a 6-month ban on import of fish into the State. The ban will come into effect from November 12 (Monday).
Announcing the decision at a press conference, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the duration of the ban could be extended by another six months, if needed, till measures to check the quality of fish are in place in the State.
“I have cleared the file pertaining to the ban... it will come into force from Monday. Till proper measures are in place (to test fish), the import of fish into Goa will be banned for six months”, Rane told reporters.
Admitting that there was a scare among Goans, Vishwajit said, “We will do everything possible so that Goans get formalin-free fish... the ban will continue till independent quality control system is put in place”.
“Sometimes in life, we have to take harsh decisions. We are doing this so that Goans know for sure that the fish they are consuming is safe”, Vishwajit said.
This is the second time that the State is banning the import of fish. In July, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had banned the import of fish for 15 days after formalin was detected in tests at the Margao wholesale fish market and had revoked licenses of 33 wholesale and retail fish traders associated with Margao Wholesale Fish Market Association.
Stating that his decision is fully backed by TCP Minister, Vijai Sardesai, Vishwajit said, “both of us have decided that we have to take strict measures on this issue”.
“Quality Council of India teams will come to Goa in next two days. We will meet these officials and finalise where the control lab will be located. Both of us are very clear on the issue and we will not compromise the safety aspect”, he added.
Expressing anger over the adamant approach of fish traders, Vishwajit said despite strict instructions not a single trader had approached FDA with proper documents to comply with fish import.
“These traders who have a monopoly over the business are misleading people... Goa is not owned by traders like Maulana. I am not here to get influenced by anybody”, he said.
Conveying a strong message to fish traders not to pressurise the government, Vishwajit said “the government will not bow to pressure tactics of these traders. Money cannot purchase us. This trade will not be allowed to flourish at the cost of people’s health”.
Appealing to media not to give publicity to fish traders, he said, fish traders should be treated like criminals... they don’t want to comply with guidelines laid down by the government”, he said.
Singling out Maulana Ibrahim who was leading the agitation to pressurise the government on lifting fish import restrictions, Vishwajit said, “I want to give a strong message to Ibrahim. I don’t know from where he is. Let him do his business in Mangalore. No one will be allowed to play with the health of Goans”, Rane said.
5 insulated fish boxes seized
from Mumbai bus at Merces
PANAJI: Five insulated boxes containing fish were confiscated by old police at Merces from an interstate private bus that arrived from Mumbai early Saturday.
The boxes -- containing prawns and baby kingfish -- that were loaded in Mumbai were supposed to be delivered to a party in Mapusa and were mistakenly transported to Panaji.
Confirming the seizure, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the consignment was to be unloaded at Mapusa but reached Panaji by mistake. “Pratap More, the person who allegedly loaded the boxes in the Mumbai bus, has been asked to report to the FDA director”, he said.
Acting on a tip off from members of the Margao Wholesale
