PANAJI: The state government will on Monday ban the import of fish for six months, a move that is likely to aggravate the scarcity of fish in the state’s markets. The ban order, which will officially be issued on Monday, could further be extended by another six months. Health minister Vishwajit Rane said on Saturday that the ban would continue till fish traders comply with all requirements, and independent labs are in place to check the quality of fish.The state government on October 26 stopped allowing fish traders who haven’t registered with the food and drugs administraion (FDA) to import fish from outside the state. Apart from the move hitting the availability of fish in the markets, it also sparked a mini-political war, with politicians in neighbouring Maharashtra threatening to damage Goa-registered vehcles if the Goa government doesn’t allow the people of Sindhudurg to sell fish in the tiny state.Rane told reporters that he has already cleared the file to ban the import of fish. “Orders to be issued to the FDA and relevant agencies that the government bans the import of fish into the state for a period of six months which may be extended to another six months till all measures are in place, which include labs from quality council of India (QCI) and export inspection council (EIC). Till such measures are in place, with immediate effect, all imports of fish in the state of Goa are banned,” he said in the note.Meanwhile, Rane seemed unperturbed by the shortage of fish in the state. “It is not my issue,” he said. “I’m not supposed to be (looking into it). I’m supposed to look at the health issue. I’m not concerned about any shortage of fish.” He also stated that he would speak to the management of five-star hotels on the issue.Rane said that the state government has taken various steps in the interest of Goans by interacting with the central government and the QCI and EIC in order to set up a lab in Goa with active participation of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).He also said that “various people” are trying to play around with the sentiments of the people in the state and accused those who have “monopolised the fish trade” of misleading the people.“In view of this and the response received from fish importers, where they haven’t taken any steps to comply with FDA directions, there is no question of the FDA giving them more time or any relaxation,” Rane said. Additionally, Rane said that if buses transport fish from outside the state, the owner would be prosecuted.“We will hold a meeting on Monday with the deputy inspector general (DIG) of police on how to act against illegal fish import,” Rane said. “We will file cases through the FDA, police, and necessary FIRs so that nobody brings this type of fish (to Goa),” he added, stating that this was a “strong message” to Margao wholesaler Ibrahim Maulana.“I will not allow anybody to play with the life of the people of the state,” the minister said, adding that he and town and country planning minister Vijai Sardesai are very clear that the safety of the people of Goa will not be compromised. “We will not back out of this decision even if someone tells us (to do so), and it will be implemented from Monday.”

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