No politician has ever been associated with my business which I have built over the years through sheer hard workON FORMALIN ROW
- Moulana Ibrahim
It became a controversy because of the power of social media. I can guarantee you there is no problem with the fish sold in Goa
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PANAJI: Moulana Ibrahim the top marine products exporter from Goa on Monday said his appointment to the panel which will advise the government on a strategy for Goa to boost exports is purely on account of his experience and prowess in exports of marine products.
"My company has topped a turnover of Rs 100-crore consistently for several years," Ibrahim said, insisting that his inclusion in the panel by the State Industries ministry had nothing to do with politics.
He said, he was also nominated and served for three years as member of the Marine Products Export Development Authority of the Central government between 2011 and 2014, again for his "expertise" in the field and denied links to any politician or political party.
"I am not a member of any political party nor do I have business links with any politician. No politician has ever been associated with my business which I have built over the years through sheer hard work," Ibrahim said, adding that TCP Minister Vijai Sardessai is only a personal friend as he resides in the Fatorda constituency." My relation with Mr Vijai Sardessai is purely personal," Ibrahim said, adding that in the 2007 Assembly election, he had even contested against Sardessai from Fatorda with the sole motive of defeating him.
The marine exporter who also operates a wholesale fish business from the SGPDA market in Margao also denied the use of 'formalin' in the fish imported into Goa and blamed the Food and Drugs Administration personnel for mismanaging the entire issue.
"It became a controversy because of the power of social media. I can guarantee you there is no problem with the fish sold in Goa," Ibrahim said.
The Goan had in an exclusive reported in its Sunday edition that Ibrahim, said to be close to the TCP Minister had found place in a nine-member panel of experts appointed by the Industries Department to advise the government in formulating a state-level "Exports Strategy" for Goa.
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VIJAI DENIES ROLE
IN NAMING PANEL
MARGAO: Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardessai on Monday denied any role in the State government naming a panel to advise it on an 'Exports Strategy' through the Industries Department. In a statement, Sardesai said the government department that has appointed the panel is the Industries Department which is held by the Hon'ble Chief Minister.
"How does a candidate against me in the Assembly elections be termed as my Man Friday?," Sardessai asked, refering to the report linking Moulana Ibrahim to him.
