MARGAO: The day appearsnot too far when customersin Goa’s lone wholesale fishmarket will be able to seethe result of the fish testedby FDA officials in the marketfor chemicals, includingformalin.That’s not all. Fish cutterscutting fish on the ground inunhygienic conditions willbe a thing of the past as thePDA has set in motion theprocess to build fish-cuttingplatform in the wholesalefish market.While it’s over a monthnow since the FDA officialsbegan testing fish for formalinright in the wholesalefish market,
questions wereraised in many quarters overthe tests being conductedclosed doors with membersof the public unable to havea look at the testing.SGDPA Chairman, MLAWilfred D’Sa, now says thatpeople will now be able totake a look at the fish testingfrom outside the room,where FDA officials conductroutine tests.“The office allocated tothe FDA at the wholesalefish market will now makeit possible for the people tohave a look inside by standingnear the window. Peoplehave been demanding fortransparency in the testingof fish after the formalin row.Bowing to the public sentiments,it has been decidedto make necessary changesto the room housing the FDAofficials, wherein people canhave a look at the testinginside,” D’Sa added.The PDA Chairman furthersaid the planning body hasdecided to address thelong-standing demand ofthe people for a hygienicplace for the fish cutters. “Ihad personally seen thatthe fish cutters were cuttingthe fish in most unhygienicconditions. This will now allbe a thing of the past. Thefish cutters will now get platformswhere they can cut thefish,” he added.The PDA Chairman furthersaid that the planning bodyhas further decided to givea facelift to the canteen inthe wholesale fish market.“There was an open spacenear the canteen, which willnow be used for the canteen,”he added.
