Says a high level team which will set up a `15 cr state-of-the-art fish testing laboratory is presently in Goa to study the situation
the goan I network
MARGAO
Saying that the coalition government is committed to provide clean and safe fish for Goans, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai on Sunday mulled a ban on the import of fish from across the borders till a foolproof regulatory mechanism is put in place to certify that imported fish is not laced with formalin.
While saying that the government will take a call on banning imported fish within a week’s time since Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has also returned home from Delhi, Sardesai further assured the people that the government will set up a regulatory mechanism to check not only fish, but vegetables and fruits imported into the State.
Vijai was speaking at Cuncolim on the occasion of the opening of Goa Forward party office on Sunday evening.
Saying that a high level team attached to the Export Council of Goa, which will set up a Rs 15 crore state-of-the-art fish testing laboratory in Goa, is presently in Goa to study the situation, the TCP Minister called for a ban on the import of fish till the agency sets up the regulatory mechanism in the State. “The agency may require time of one-month or more to set up the laboratory. But, we cannot wait for a month, more so when there is zero trust deficit in the markets on the fish offered for sale, it is time that the government ban the imported fish into the State. There’s a fear amongst the people that the fish they consume is unsafe and the fish has led to rising cases of cancer. Government’s responsibility is to allay the apprehensions by setting up the right regulatory mechanism,” he said.
He only hoped that the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, which have been demanding a ban on fish imports, will appreciate the government’s decision as and when the ban is enforced in the State.
Sardesai said that he had suggested at the high level meeting held in the South district Collectorate to ban the import of fish in order to restore the confidence of the people. But Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma had prevailed on me that ban is not a solution to any problem when the solution lies in enhancing our capacities,” he said.
Referring to the allegations that the government has been dragging its feet to ban the import of fish given his relationship with M Ibrahim, Sardesai said the very same Ibrahim had crossed swords against him when he had contested from Fatorda on the Congress banner.
Referring to the report on the National Commission on Population stating that Goans enjoy the best quality of life in the country, Sardesai said, “When we have the best quality of life, the people have the right to demand high safety standards as far as food and fish is concerned. I think the people have the right to say they don’t want fish laced with formalin,” he said.
