Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI. In a significant administrative development, the State government has reinstated Shamila Monteiro as the Director of Fisheries, nearly ten months after she was removed in the aftermath of the Cutbona jetty health crisis.
An official order dated June 10, issued by Under Secretary (Personnel) Raghuraj Faldesai, confirms Monteiro’s transfer from her current post as Officer on Special Duty in the Department of Environment to the Fisheries Directorate, with immediate effect.
Her return follows the transfer of IAS officer Yashaswini B, who had been temporarily overseeing the Fisheries Department, out of the state.
Monteiro was earlier relieved of her post in September 2024 after a serious public health scare at Cutbona jetty, where an alleged outbreak of cholera and dengue led to the deaths of five migrant workers and left more than 160 others infected.
Her tenure had also been mired in controversy over the banned practice of LED fishing, with several stakeholders in the fishing community accusing her of showing bias in favour of fishers using illegal lighting methods, known to harm marine ecosystems.
In a separate development, the government has reinstated Dr. Veena Kumar as officiating Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services in compliance with an interim Supreme Court directive issued in May.
Dr. Kumar had previously been replaced by Nitin Naik, following a note from the Minister for Animal Husbandry. While her removal was challenged in the High Court, the petition was dismissed. However, the Supreme Court has now ordered her reinstatement until the next hearing scheduled for July 22.
