Investigate allegations of money laundering through fishing sector, Captain Viriato urges government

Team herald

MARGAO: South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes has urged the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to initiate a probe into allegations that a senior official siphoned off black money into the fishing sector, allegedly in collusion with a ‘fish mafia’.

Fernandes also stressed the importance of investigating the recent cholera outbreak at the Cutbona fishing jetty, which resulted in the death of five migrant workers. He called for a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of the outbreak.

Furthermore, the MP has called on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to sack Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Harlarnkar and take action against former Director of Fisheries Dr Shamila Monteiro. According to Fernandes, the two were involved in a taxpayer-funded trip to Norway, which he described as misuse of public money.

During his visit to the Cutbona fishing jetty and his interactions with residents of Mobor-Cavelossim, Fernandes expressed his concerns over the health crisis at the jetty. When asked about allegations that a senior official had invested illegal funds in fishing boats, Fernandes urged the state government to involve the CBI to ascertain the truth. He stressed the need to investigate the benami (proxy) wealth that officials may have amassed through such investments.

Regarding the cholera outbreak, Fernandes called for the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate the situation at the Cutbona pier. “There must be accountability,” he stated. Fernandes pointed to the foreign misconduct concerning the Minister of Fisheries and the former Director of Fisheries. He challenged the government to show “moral courage” by dismissing the Minister of Fisheries.

and taking disciplinary action against the former director.

Three shops at Cutbona pier fined by legal metrology

MARGAO: Authorities have launched a Legal Metrology enforcement action at the Cutbona Jetty following calls for action by consumer rights group GOACAN. The jetty, which is under heightened surveillance by government officials including the Chief Minister and the Environment Minister, saw three cases booked during the inspection.

Violations were registered against Abdul Hamid General Store, Mahadev Super Market and another store run by Mrs Santana Cardoso, all located in Velim, Salcete. Each outlet had electronic weighing instruments with outdated verification stamps, with the latest stamps marked as 23B, 21C and 15C respectively. The enforcement is aimed at addressing discrepancies in weighing instruments and ensuring compliance with legal standards at the jetty.