the goan I network
PANAJI
In the backdrop of the recent fish laced with formalin controversy, legislators across party lines on Thursday unequivocally demanded good quality fish should be made available at affordable rates to the people during the discussions on the demands for the fisheries department.
Legislators suggested different ways to regulate fish price and quality, including banning exports and also sale of fish through government undertakings and Corporations.
Some MLAs even demanded that fish should be brought under Essential Commodities Act and Opposition Leader Chandrakant Kavlekar made a strong pitch for a price control mechanism for fish.
BJP MLA Alina Saldhana demanded that certain percentage of fish should be made available for sale in Goan market for which compensation can be given to fisherman.
MLA from Calangute Constituency Michael Lobo said that good fish should be made available and difficulties of fisherman should be solved with periodical meetings with fisherman. “98 percent of Goan people like fish stating that CM himself loves fish and said that his brain is sharp because he eats fish”, he said. He also demanded that LED fishing and Bull trawling should be stopped.
MLA Deepak Pauskar demanded that a modern cold storage system be constructed and that it could be built close to Banaulim prawn hatchery. He also demanded that stalls should be allotted to fisherman and fish should be brought under essential commodity Act.
Congress MLA Clafasio Dias said that measures to be taken to keep formalin-lace fish out of market.
MLA Nilkanth Halarnkar said that action should be taken against Mandovi fisheries jetty cooperative society members who are involved is fraud and demanded that Government should take over the jetty.
MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lorenco said that balance between export and internal sales should be maintained. Jetties should be freed from the clutches of people from outside the State, he lamented. He also demanded formation of a fishing Corporation to ease the problems.
Nilesh Cabral expressed fear that some cartels have taken over jetties in Goa and demanded that this nexus should be broken. On the basis of food items distribution facility done by horticulture Corporation a distribution facility for fish could be started through Fishing Corporation, he suggested.
Congress legislator Dayanand Sopte demanded that a ramp should be provided to local fishermen in Morjim and also the Keri shed be repaired. He said that fisherman should be given permission to take more than one canoe.
BJP MLA Glen Ticlo demanded curtailing of export of fish and promotion of local fishermen at jetties.
