MALKANGIRI: Even as the Assam Government has banned import of fish from Andhra Pradesh owing to presence of formalin, a cancer causing chemical, residents of Malkangiri are in a state of panic as no such step has been taken by the authorities here to stop supply from the neighbouring State.
Vendors across the district import fish from Andhra Pradesh and sell it at local markets through hawkers on a daily basis.
Lack of monitoring to check presence of formalin in the fish has given rise to fear of a serious health hazard. According to district fishery officer Jagdish Panda, around 11,615 tonnes of fish is caught in the district against the demand of 15,000 tonnes.
“Around 1,000 tonnes of fish is imported annually from Andhra Pradesh”, he informed. Panda said he has not yet received direction from the higher-ups to keep a check on presence of formalin in fish imported from Andhra Pradesh.