SHILLONG, June 12: In view of the ban on fish in the state, the government officers of different departments in West Garo Hills have been issued a slew of directions to ensure public health safety and proper sale, transportation, and storage of fish and food items.
An order by the District Magistrate of West Garo Hills, Jagdish Chelani, directed Superintendent of Fisheries to appoint representatives for each block to oversee the sale, transportation, and storage of fish from outside the state. Additionally, they will ensure the availability of fish from fishery ponds within the district for local consumption, if possible, it added.
“Furthermore, they should prepare a brief media byte demonstrating how to identify fish treated with chemicals (if available) and how to wash the fish to remove any chemicals before preparation,” the order stated. It said that the District Agriculture and Horticulture officers are responsible for maintaining vigilance and supervising vegetables and fruits arriving from outside the state or suspected of being treated with chemicals.
The Chief Executive Officer of Tura Municipal Board has been directed to form teams to ensure the ban is implemented effectively within the Tura town area in West Garo Hills.
The Secretary of GHADC, however, will ensure the implementation of the ban in meat markets, it said.
The Food Safety Inspector is tasked with regularly checking samples and submitting reports in coordination with all other concerned officers every Monday for the previous week. “Additionally, they will conduct regular inspections of the food materials and ratios provided in the Midday Meal schemes,” it added.
The SP of West Garo Hills has been directed to provide overall support in the implementation and reporting of such events to respective officers when informed by the public. They will also ensure vigilance in their respective jurisdictions.
All Block Development Officers in West Garo Hills were instructed to maintain vigilance within their respective block areas.
The District Medical & Health Officer, on the other hand, will prepare a brief advisory for the public, available in Garo, Hindi, and English, informing them about the harmful effects of fish treated with formalin and the general harmful effects of chemicals in food through the media.
