Margao: The committee probing alleged irregularities in the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) markets conducted its first on-site inspection at Margao’s wholesale fish market on Thursday, with officials from several govt departments in attendance.Ganesh Barve, deputy collector and sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Salcete, heads the 15-member panel. Officials said the inspection may continue for several days and a report with recommendations will be submitted to the deputy collector.The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) and the SGPDA, two key members who had skipped the committee’s first meeting on Sep 10, were present this time.Roland Martins of the Goa Consumer and Citizens Action Network (Goacan) said representatives of 8-10 govt agencies took part in the inspection.“The SGPDA wholesale fish market was inspected today, and the retail fish market will be inspected next. The SGPDA and the MMC, which were absent from the committee’s first meeting, were present today,” Martins said.“Agencies that were absent today will be called for the next round of inspection,” he said.The newly built wholesale fish market is being used despite not being officially operational.“Once it is officially operational, we will conduct another inspection,” he said.The activist said the committee would suggest short-term, medium-term and long-term measures to address the identified problems.The panel was formed on Sept 4 to ensure public health, safety and the functioning of the SGPDA retail market complex and wholesale fish market. It will inspect both facilities, assess sanitation, public health, infrastructure, fire safety and stall arrangements, and recommend corrective measures with deadlines.
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