the goan I network
MARGAO
Demanding that the government notify fish under the Essential Commodities Act, concerned citizens of Salcete on Thursday called for a total ban on the import and export of fish to meet the fish requirements of the State.
Questioning Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s rationale in banning import of fish up to August 3, the citizens have resolved to mobilise the people of Goa in the next few days to force the government to continue the ban on the import of fish into the State.
In his address, former MLA Adv Radharao Gracias expressed concern that one community is exercising nearly 90 per cent of the food items of Goans, including fish, fruits and vegetables. “I am not against any particular community. But, it is indeed a matter of concern that one community is holding monopoly on fish, fruits and vegetables. The agents supplying these food items gang up and fix the price, leaving Goans with no option than to buy whatever is offered by the agents. Why should we allow one community to monopolise on Goan food requirements,” Radharao demanded to know.
He said the government is empowered to notify fish as an essential commodity and ban the export of fish netted by the trawlers and other vessels. “The government has banned import of fish only till August 3. But, the question remains unanswered how Goans will identify in the wholesale fish market which fish is laced with formalin if outside vessels are allowed in the market,” he said.
Dr Jorson Fernandes, in his address, said it is a shame that the government has failed to confiscate the trucks that had brought fish laced with formalin at the Margao market and prosecute the truck owner or agent. “In the normal case, the vehicle carrying the fish laced with formalin ought to have been seized and the owner arrested. But this was not done for reasons best known to the FDA and the concerned authorities,” he said, adding ‘the FDA should explain whether formalin is permitted within permissible limits as per the FDA or political book’.
A citizen of Velim, Edrich Correia demanded to know why Goans are not getting quality and cheap fish when the government is giving subsidies to the trawler owners. Accusing the fish agents for fixing the price of fish, he demanded that the government should stop the subsidies if fish brought at the jetties is not made available to the local people.
Activist Laurel Abranches demanded a ban on the import and export of fish. He made a humble plea to the people to come under one banner to protect their interests.
Adv Analceto Viegas, George Barretto, Aquem Baixo Sarpanch Siddesh Bhagat, Sanjeev Raiturkar, Dr Varun, Mahesh Nayak and others also addressed the meeting.
