MARGAO
In a bid to ensure sanitation and hygiene and to end open defecation at the Cutbona fishing jetty, the government has decided to make the newly constructed 50-seater toilet block at the jetty available free of charge for migrant workers employed on fishing vessels.
The government has further decided to put in place arrangements to provide filtered water at the Cutbona fishing jetty to meet the drinking and cooking requirements of the migrant workers.
These decisions were taken at a joint meeting of the stakeholders chaired by Secretary, Fisheries Prasanna Acharya on Monday and come against the backdrop of reports that migrant workers are resorting to open defecation despite the government finally implementing the 50-seater toilet block at the jetty. The decision not to levy any toilet user charges assumes significance in view of reports that the fishing vessel crew members avoid the toilet and bath facility given the fees charged by Sulabh International.
The meeting took a review of the sanitation and hygiene issues plaguing the migrant workers at the Cutbona fishing jetty, which witnessed a scare after 13 workers were found suffering with diarrhea during screening.
The meeting resolved to ensure free of charge toilet facility to the migrant workers by Sulabh International at the newly constructed 50-seater toilet block with immediate effect so as to end open defecation. It was decided to make arrangements to provide filtered water for the drinking & cooking requirements of the fish workers at the Jetty as a step to prevent water borne diseases.
On the waste management front, it was decided that the Fisheries Department will collaborate with Village Panchayat of Velim to ensure regular collection of dry & wet garbage generated at the Cutbona fishing jetty.
The meeting also reviewed the ongoing screening of the fish workers to identify any signs of water or vector borne diseases.
The Secretary, Health later said that health & sanitation issues faced by migrant crew workers at Cutbona jetty are on the top most priority list of the government. He said government will take all steps required to address all issues plaguing the Cutbona fishing jetty.
The meeting was attended by Fisheries Director, Dr Shamila Monteiro, Rahul C Desai, Mamlatdar in South Goa Collectorate, Roland Martins Co-ordinator GOACAN among others.
Besides visiting the jetty to get a first-hand understanding of the issues at the Cutbona fishing jetty, Acharya said he would ensure regular review meetings so that all stakeholders are taken into confidence to improve facilities at the jetty.
