MARGAO: Asserting that the government is pandering to the wholesale fish agents when efforts ought to have been aimed at restoring the confidence of fish eating Goans, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai on Thursday conveyed a message to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to immediately ban the import of fish till the state-of-the-art laboratory is set up in the State.
He also demanded the lab sanctioned by the Union Commerce Ministry should be set up in Margao, which has been the epicenter of the formalin in fish row.
While terming the government decision as an attempt to accommodate the interests of the wholesale fish agents, the TCP Minister said that the government’s topmost priority ought to have been to restore the confidence of the fish loving Goans. “Today, the retail fish markets are empty because of zero trust deficit of the people in the fish sold in the retail markets," he added.
Saying that the Chief Minister had agreed to impose a ban on the import of fish into the State till a proper mechanism was set in place to check the fish quality, the TCP Minister said he has conveyed to the Chief Minister through his OSD Upendra to implement the decision on banning the import of fish immediately. “The bureaucracy must have not favoured the ban on the import of fish for some reason, but political wisdom calls for an immediate ban on the fish import to restore the confidence of the people," he asserted.
While welcoming the state-of-the-art lab sanctioned by Union Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu, Sardesai demanded that the lab be set up in Margao which has been the epicenter of the formalin in fish row.
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On Vijai's demand, govt mulls
setting fish-test lab in Margao
PANAJI: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane informed on Thursday that the government was now considering the possibility of setting up the state-of-the-art food testing laboratory in South Goa, most likely, Margao, instead of the before-mentioned Mapusa. The move comes after TCP Minister Vijai Sardessai asked for the lab to be set up in the South, and the government is now moving in that direction. The government is now scouting for possible places in the South where the lab can be set up.
"Vijai has asked for this to be done at the earliest," said Rane. He further informed that the entire cost of the lab would be borne by the Central Government.
In light of the doubts raised by citizens about the quality of food coming into the state, Rane said that the government was looking at the lab as a "one time permanent solution" to test all food items. This includes fish, milk, fruit, vegetables, and any other fresh food being imported.
He further said that the two agencies that will be brought in to test food, i.e. the Export Inspection Agency (EIA) and the Quality Council of India (QCI) will set down guidelines for fresh food products, and these would be followed strictly. The prosecution agency will be the Goa FDA, he said.
Rane also put to bed reports that the 1,50,000 liters of milk being imported was not being tested. "We're testing everything. However, if there's any doubt about anything, please bring it to my notice, and we will get it tested. So far, we have not gotten any complaint of adulteration of milk," he said.
No trader has complied
with guidelines: Rane
PANAJI: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said on Thursday that not a single fish trader, either from Goa, or those importing fish into the state have complied with the guidelines laid down by the government on August 2. The circular issued by the government states that fish traders need to get a license from the Goa FDA or the FDA of the state their from, and also that fish should be transported only in insulated vehicles. Addressing media persons at his Miramar office, Rane said, "Not a single trader has complied with the guidelines. If they do not comply, they will not be able to carry out business. We are very clear on this."
Rane sent a note in this regard to the Health Secretary Ashok Kumar, who is also the commissioner of Food Safety, on Wednesday. Rane has asked for the circular of August 2 to be "strictly implemented with immediate effect." However, he told mediapersons that this might take around two days to come into effect, after a meeting with the Health Secretary was held.
The Health Minister also said that if any traders importing fish did not comply with the guidelines, they would not be able to import fish into/sell fish in the state, until such time as they complied. "With non-compliance to the circular, import automatically stops," said Rane.
He also informed that the 33 traders (all of whom were local) whose licenses had been revoked by the FDA on October 23, needed to comply with the circular before their licenses could be re-issued.
