PANAJI: The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday slammed the Opposition for the drama it was creating in the Monsoon Session of the Assembly over the formalin in fish issue saying that the problem would not be solved by making the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) a scapegoat.
Addressing the press in the wake of two ministers trading charges against each other, AAP Convenor Elvis Gomes took on the government as well the Opposition stating that the drama of what he called match fixing between the two parties must stop. He reiterated that the government had still not launched any criminal investigation.
Gomes strongly proposed stopping the middle men in the sale of fish and also resale in the wholesale market.
Meanwhile, in a reply to AAP, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the parent body of the FDA, states that “FSS Act, 2006 Rules and Regulations made thereunder do not prescribe any limits for formaldehyde in fish and fish products. Also, formaldehyde is not a permitted additive or preservative as per FSS Act, 2006.” The reply came from the Assistant Director of Enforcement at the FSSAI.
AAP General Secretary Pradeep Padgaonkar said, “The FDA has a grave responsibility to protect the health and safety of Goans. This duty is not being performed due to political interference, which can potentially lead to a serious public health crisis.”
The party said that the statement by Michael Lobo supporting the Opposition Congress on disruption of the proceedings of the House has vindicated AAP’s charge of game fixing between the government and the Opposition. It may be recalled that AAP had charged both the ruling and the Opposition of collusion so that pressing issues could be sidelined to save one another of embarrassment.
