Rupesh Samant

Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Nov 30: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy has requested Goa government to lift the ban on the import of the fish trading between both the States, which is in force since last month.

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, however, has said that the ban cannot be lifted till the wholesale fish traders comply with the directives of the Food and Drugs Administration and procure the necessary licence to import the commodity.

Since last month, Goa government has imposed ban on the fish imports, after fears of formalin being used as a preservative were expressed by section of people in the state.

“It is requested that this blanket ban may be withdrawn and the fish trading between Karnataka and Goa and other states passing through Goa may be allowed,” the Karnataka CM has written in the letter dated November 27, addressed to his Goa counterpart Manohar Parrikar.

Kumarswamy has said that State of Karnataka will ensure that the fish traders comply with the Food and Drugs Administration regulations and obtain the required certificate after meeting the required standards.

“The process is already initiated in the three coastal districts. Fish transporters and merchants of Karnataka have been instructed to obtain the required certificate from the concerned department,” Kumarswamy has said in the letter.

“The fish traders are requesting some time to comply with the requirements as put forward by the State of Goa,” he said.

When contacted, Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said that Goa will not allow the fish to be imported till systems are in place. He, however, said that Goa may consider the case related to small-time fishermen, allowing them to bring their catch in the State.

“We have received the letter sent by Karnataka CM. We are working to ensure that all the systems are in place. Once testing is in place, we need to relook how the small traders can be helped by having certain check points and bring fish in the state in a safe manner,” Rane said.

“It is necessary to see how we will have the way forward. This is not a ban, we are asking only for compliances. We are working out to see how we can help smaller traders and fishermen from Maharashtra and Karnataka,” he added.

The minister said Karnataka CM’s letter says that the ban should be suspended. “We cannot suspend the ban but at the same time we need to find out solutions for the problem,” he commented.

Rane said that Goa is government is also looking at overall picture of the state fish supplies considering a fact that it is a tourism destination.

“We need to have our systems in place and resolve the issue. We are on the job of resolving the issue taking into consideration that food safety standards should be maintained at international level,” he added.