THE GOAN I NETWORK
MARGAO
Health officials on Monday stamped a couple of drivers of fish transporting vehicles who came to the Cutbona fishing jetty from across the border, even as health officials moved the South Goa District Collector with a plea to keep the health centres in the loop before issuing transport permit. Sources told The Goan that around two-three trucks, which came at the Cutbona fishing jetty after crossing the Polem border on Monday, came under the scanner of the Balli Primary Health Centre. Following information that the trucks were headed to the Cutbona fishing jetty as the government had opened the jetties, officials of the PHC, Balli, descended on jetty at noon to hunt for the drivers and cleaners of the trucks. Health officials informed that the occupants of the outstation trucks were stamped by the health workers and were directed to get themselves quarantined inside their vehicles. In the meantime, Balli Primary Health Officer, Dr Mamata Kakodkar, told The Goan that the health centre has dashed off a letter to the South Goa District Collector with a plea to keep them informed about the permits issued by the District Collectorate for the transportation of fish. Copies of the letter have been forwarded to the offices of the Director of Health Services and the Director of Fisheries for further action.
Sources in the know informed that the Balli PHC’s decision comes against the backdrop of reports that the health officials were not updated over the transport permits issued by the Collectorate for inter-state and intra-state
movement of fish.
Officials pointed out that the health officials can keep track and bring the vehicles and the persons manning the fish transporting vehicles under
its scanner and monitor the movement in view of Covid-19 battle.
“We have to all remain alert since fish transporting vehicles driven by drivers from outside the state,” a health official said, adding that all these people can be closely monitored if prior information is passed on to the health department by the district authorities.
The Balli PHC letter to the Collector assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the government decision to lift the ban on fishing activities in the state.
