The joint inspection of the Cutbona fishing jetty carried out by officials of various departments as per the High Court’s direction. Captured by : Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Will the Cutbona fishing jetty, Goa’s biggest fishing hub, see a turnaround in cleanliness, hygiene, and sanitation after a joint inspection of the jetty on Tuesday as per the High Court’s directions?
Officials of the Fisheries Department, Food and Drugs Administration, Health, besides DySP Traffic, Prabodh Shirwaikar, Cuncolim police station in charge, PI Diego Gracias, and Coastal police PI Terron D’Costa, all descended on the Cutbona fishing jetty as per the High Court directions to ascertain the conditions at the jetty pertaining to cleanliness and hygiene at the local eateries, besides sanitation.
The inspection team came across a number of kiosks operating at the Cutbona jetty without NOC and permissions from the Panchayat, Health, and FDA.
In fact, an FDA official was overheard telling Velim Sarpanch Veena Cardozo that the FDA can issue the licence for the kiosks only after a NOC from the local panchayat body.
A health official pointed out that all is not well at the jetty concerning the fast food kiosks doing business activities, saying the team will file a report before the High Court based on the inspection.
The official further pointed out that the Health Department had started the exercise of screening the migrant labourers who have descended on the Cutbona fishing jetty to work as crew on board the vessels.
Velim Sarpanch Veena later told the media that the authorities, including the Fisheries Department, should first tone up the sanitation amenities at the fishing jetty, which is home to thousands of migrant labourers. “Where are the five-seater toilets that were promised by the government over 10 years ago? Instead of providing basic amenities and maintaining the cleanliness of the jetty, the team only focussed on the gaddas,” she said.
Chairman of the Cutbona Fisheries Society Vinay Tari told the media that the Fisheries officials should immediately bring a turnaround at the Cutbona fishing jetty. “There are no adequate toilets for the migrant crew. The extended portion of the jetty has been converted into a dumping yard for nets and dinghies. The new jetty should be immediately opened for berthing of fishing vessels,” Tari demanded.
