the goan I network
MARGAO
While maintenance of the renovated retail fish market may pose a major challenge of sorts to the SGPDA, fish vendors may have to grapple with another issue “ sale of plastic bags in the fish market.
When TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai and Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao purchased fish with leader of the Fish Vendors Association, Felix Gonsalves after the inauguration of the refurbished market, the fish was found wrapped in cloth-paper bags that have surfaced in the markets after the Margao Municipal Council enforced the ban on plastic a month ago.
Felix and the 100-odd vendors, however, are aware of the huge problem staring at them over the question of wrapping the fish at the retail counter. “Today, I have packed the fish purchased by Sardesai and Churchill in cloth-paper bags. But, these bags have failed to serve the purpose in the fish markets,” Felix lamented.
He pointed out that these bags cannot bear the weight beyond two kgs, raising questions amongst the vendors how to address the problem of use of plastic bags in the fish market. “Fish is one commodity which is wet in nature, specially prawns, squids and shell fish. When customers do not come with their own arrangement, the vendors find themselves in a tight spot,” remarked a lady vendor.
Earlier this month, officials of the Margao Municipal Council clamped down on the fish vendors for using plastic bags below 50 micron size. Fish vendors, however, pointed out that the MMC officials and other concerned agencies should help the vendors with alternate means of wrapping the fish.
“We are open for suggestions on using alternate bags, but let the authorities come with an alternative solution to the issue of ban on plastic bags,” the
vendor added.
