Goemkarponn desk
MARGAO: Locals from Margao were shocked over the fish parcels coming from the Gujrat and other states to Margao via railway without having any idea whether these fish have undergone quality check and are fit for human consumption. Locals demand the government to take cognizance of the matter immediately.
Milagres Fernandes, a social activist from Margao, raised the alarm about this matter and questioned the safety, hygiene and quality checks aspects of the parcels possessing fish coming in the thermacol boxes from Gujrat and other states to Margao.
Fernandes said that when the local people move fish from one place to another within a few hours, the ice tends to melt.
Now when these fish are brought from other states to Margao via railways, how they could stay fresh and fit for human consumption? Is there a quality check done on these fish? He questioned. Fernandes demanded that the government look into the matter and take strict action against the people involved in such dangerous practices.
Meanwhile, Konkan Railway PRO Baban Ghatge told reporters that no outgoing fish are being routed from Margao railway station, but we are receiving incoming fish supply coming from Gujrat, Mumbai Kerala etc.
He further said that fish being a perishable item, there have to be formalities that need to be followed at the booking station by the railways.
Railways just act as a transporter, but at the receiving end, the person whose name the parcels are being booked has to come and show his receipt and then the parcel is handed over to him, as per the standard procedure.
Commenting on the checks and measures on the fish parcels, Ghatge stated that the railways do not have the authority to undertake the quality checks of the fish or perishable commodities. But sometimes, Health services staff randomly checks the items from the parcels if they are perishable items. And in case the articles are found unsuitable for human consumption, then the items are rejected and the party is penalized,” he added.
