VASCO: Staff and inmates at the old aged home in Bogmalo simply couldn't believe their eyes when three baskets of fish, prawns and crabs landed up at their doorstep on Thursday.
Instead of merely destroying food items confiscated by the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC), its Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes hit upon a unique initiative to send the seized food to old aged homes and orphanages in and around Vasco.
Needless to say, the initiative has been widely appreciated and is in sharp contrast to 1,300 kgs of beef confiscated by Panaji Police and recently buried in the premises of Goa Meat Complex at Usgao.
The MMC started a drive against illegal vendors selling fish along the roadside in Vasco.
"The MMC has a dedicated market where fish could be sold, but there are complaints that fish was being sold at every nook and corner along the roadsides, causing traffic congestion and accidents," Fernandes told reporters.
"We have begun our drive against illegal fish vendors and we have a dedicated team to ensure illegal selling of fish is stopped. I thought that since fish is a perishable commodity and could be put to proper use, I directed them to deliver it to the old age home in Bogmalo," said Fernandes.
"Earlier, we used to bury and destroy the fish. I thought that instead we could put it to good use by offering it to old age homes instead of destroying it. My initiative is to help the needy," he added.
"I feel this will have two advantages, it will stop illegal fish sales by roadside vendors and as charity from MMC, will benefit the needy. I also have plans to send it to other organizations like orphanages or needy institutions."
"Organizations wishing to come and take the confiscated food to help the needy can approach me and I will be ready to help, instead of wasting it," said Fernandes.
A local resident, Birender Singh, who was in the MMC while the fish was being loaded on a vehicle to be delivered to the old age home, was delighted with the initiative.
"Other organizations and municipal councils should take example from such good acts and follow the process, so that the confiscated food items could be of some use to the poor and needy," he said.
"I believe this is the first time I have seen and heard of such a great initiative. We must learn from this act. Other organizations must follow and take this as an example to follow. This drive against illegal vendors must continue. I really appreciate the chief officer of making such drives of benefit to the needy at the same time," said Singh.
Instead of merely destroying food items confiscated by the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC), its Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes hit upon a unique initiative to send the seized food to old aged homes and orphanages in and around Vasco.
Needless to say, the initiative has been widely appreciated and is in sharp contrast to 1,300 kgs of beef confiscated by Panaji Police and recently buried in the premises of Goa Meat Complex at Usgao.
The MMC started a drive against illegal vendors selling fish along the roadside in Vasco.
"The MMC has a dedicated market where fish could be sold, but there are complaints that fish was being sold at every nook and corner along the roadsides, causing traffic congestion and accidents," Fernandes told reporters.
"We have begun our drive against illegal fish vendors and we have a dedicated team to ensure illegal selling of fish is stopped. I thought that since fish is a perishable commodity and could be put to proper use, I directed them to deliver it to the old age home in Bogmalo," said Fernandes.
"Earlier, we used to bury and destroy the fish. I thought that instead we could put it to good use by offering it to old age homes instead of destroying it. My initiative is to help the needy," he added.
"I feel this will have two advantages, it will stop illegal fish sales by roadside vendors and as charity from MMC, will benefit the needy. I also have plans to send it to other organizations like orphanages or needy institutions."
"Organizations wishing to come and take the confiscated food to help the needy can approach me and I will be ready to help, instead of wasting it," said Fernandes.
A local resident, Birender Singh, who was in the MMC while the fish was being loaded on a vehicle to be delivered to the old age home, was delighted with the initiative.
"Other organizations and municipal councils should take example from such good acts and follow the process, so that the confiscated food items could be of some use to the poor and needy," he said.
"I believe this is the first time I have seen and heard of such a great initiative. We must learn from this act. Other organizations must follow and take this as an example to follow. This drive against illegal vendors must continue. I really appreciate the chief officer of making such drives of benefit to the needy at the same time," said Singh.
