AAP files petition for a court-monitored probe into the “formalin in fish” issue

The Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) Goa on Monday filed a letter petition in the Bombay High Court at Goa asking for a court-monitored probe into the “formalin in fish” issue.

The administration appears to be continuing to withhold crucial facts, and is not taking any real action to protect Goans from fish possibly laced with formalin, while only making statements of false reassurance to the public, said the petition.

Simultaneously, AAP has also notified Garima Singh, Director (Enforcement) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India about the circumstances in which the events of July 12 regarding the events leading to Goa Food and Drugs Administration’s testing of imported fish from other States, unfolded, said AAP convenor, for Goa, Alves Gomes said.

It may be recalled that during the Maggi Noodles controversy of 2015, the so-called clean chit given by Goa FDA had been refuted by FSSAI, its own parent body, raising serious doubts on the credibility and independence of the local body tasked with protecting Goans from unsafe food and drugs, said Mr. Gomes in a press release issued here on Monday evening.

Despite assurances by the Chief Minister that he is “personally monitoring” the issue, it has been reported that no FDA officials have actually been present at fish markets to enforce the monitoring, pointed out AAP.

“If the FDA office could be given additional security, then why couldn’t FDA inspectors enforce effective monitoring under police protection if required,” asked Mr. Gomes, adding, “A larger question also arises - are the wholesale agents so powerful that even the Home Minister does not dare to live up to his promises?”.

The AAP has said that the “test reports” made public by the FDA are incomplete, vague, and appear to be a hurried reaction to AAP’s demand.

“The reports are yet another attempt to quell the issue rather than attempt to ensure safety of fish consumed by Goans. AAP is continuing its own investigation into the matter, and will continue to present more facts and raise further questions until Goans receive the right answers,” said Mr. Gomes.

He said that AAP will also raise this issue at a national level since many other States including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Nagaland, Assam, Orissa, etc., have found the carcinogenic-laced fish being sold in their markets.