the goan I network
MARGAO
In a development that may raise many eyebrows in the fisheries circle, Velim Sarpanch Savio D’Silva on Sunday dispatched a message to the Director of Fisheries to verify the number of tandels (those who steer the fishing boats) has descended on the Cutbona fishing jetty during the last three days.
The Velim Sarpanch, who also heads the Cutbona Boat Owners Union, has demanded action against the boat owners for having brought their crew allegedly from Karnataka when the lockdown was in force and movement of manpower across the borders was banned.
Savio has urged the Fisheries Director Dr Shamila Monteiro to verify all these tandels who, he claimed, have illegally entered Goa during the last three days and demanded strict action against the boat owners.
The Sarpanch said he expects the fisheries staff deployed at the Cutbona fishing jetty to immediately take action to ensure things don’t go out of hand in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Savio claimed that some of the boat owners, who had anchored their boats, have suddenly realized that vessels venturing out in the sea are getting a decent catch and hence have tried to get tandels from across the border.
“We have no objection to anyone resuming or closing their fishing business, but what we are concerned about the tandels being corona-free. Otherwise, it would wreak havoc at the jetties as the existing migrant labourers are free of the coronavirus,” he said.
Fishing operations at the jetties had resumed last week after the Director of Fisheries withdrew the previous order banning all activities at the jetties after the Ministry of Home Affairs lifted all curbs across the country.
