the goan I network
MARGAO
A couple of insulated trucks carrying fish from other states were found parked in Goa’s lone wholesale fish market at Margao on Sunday, but the bigger question remained unanswered “ how come the wholesale traders could trade in fish when their applications for trade licenses are still pending with the Margao Municipality.
This question was the talking point in the wholesale fish market which is managed by the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) as a couple of insulated trucks unloaded boxes containing fish at the market in the wee hours of Sunday.
The question assumes significance since the Goa police and the transport authorities had barred many fish transporting vehicles from entering the state at the borders on grounds that the vehicles were not insulated conforming to Public Health Department’s circular.
According to Public Health Department’s circular dated October 26, no wholesale fish traders shall not function without a valid license/registration issued by the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration under Food Safety and Standard Regulations.
It is an open secret that all the 38 applications for trade licenses are pending in the Margao Municipal Council for around a month now, raising questions as to how the wholesale traders could carry out the business sans the mandatory trade license either from the Margao Municipality or the SGPDA.
Questions were further raised whether the licensing authorities were conspicuous by their absence at the wholesale fish market during the weekend when it’s a holiday for the government departments.
The Margao Municipality has till date neither rejected the 38 applications received from the wholesale fish traders nor has given its nod. In fact, the issue is expected to figure at the November 9 meeting of the Margao Municipality Council which is expected to take a call whether wholesale fish traders are traders in a strict sense of the term as they do not conduct the business within a premise or ought to be treated as vendors.
