Fish will continue to be checked for formalin: Vinod Palyekar

SALIGAO: Hitting back at fish traders, fisheries minister and Siolim MLA Vinod Palyekar, on Friday said testing of fish samples for formalin by the department of food and drugs administration (FDA) would continue. He also said there should be no objections to the process.

Palyekar was speaking after inaugurating the dredging of the Chapora river.

Fish traders in some markets have threatened a shutdown, alleging that not enough fish is being brought into the state due to FDA guidelines. They have also criticised the state for failing to resolve the issue.

On the other hand, the Margao Wholesale Fish Market Association has demanded health minister Vishwajit Rane’s resignation, charging him of handling the issue arrogantly.

Palyekar, however, said the people’s health and wellbeing was the government’s priority and that fish dealers would simply have to follow the rules.

Rural development minister Jayesh Salgaonkar, Anjuna-Caisua sarpanch Savio Almeida, deputy sarpanch Pratima Govekar, panch members Devanand Shirodkar, Peter Mendonca and Sagar Chand Rai, and an official from the ports administration were also present.

Salgaonkar, in his address to the gathering, said dredging work would be completed within 45 days.