Stakeholders urge government for relaxation in SOP rules
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The only wholesale market of fish (imported from other States) in Guwahati is presently in the doldrums following the COVID-19-induced lockdown since March 2020 — besides many other factors. Its brunt is being felt by both the wholesellers and the retailers.
However, this is despite the fact that the demand for fish (of various varities) has not at all slowed down. In fact, there has been a noticeable rise in the demand for fish during this typical pandemic time when the people were compelled to stay indoors as per the Corona SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).
The market was hit the hardest when it remained closed for four to five months during the initial phase of the Corona-induced pandemic. Its effects are being felt today too. What is more, the pandemic situation forced many retailer fish sellers to leave the business. This has also adversely affected the daily as well as the overall business in the sector.
Mentionably, both the wholesellers and the retailers enjoyed roaring business in the pre-Corona days.
This only wholesale imported-fish market in the 'Gateway to the Northeast' — under the GMC (Gauhati Municipal Corporation) — is run by the 'Brihhatar Guwahati Paikari Maas Besa Kina Samabai Samity Limited'. Located at Lakhara, the market complex has 59 stalls; even as 35 more stalls are being constructed in the proposed extension part of the market.
Following Court's order in 2015, this market was shifted from the Borsola Beel area — opposite the SAI (Sports authority of India) Stadium in the New Field Complex in Paltan Bazar.
Talking to The Sentinel here on Friday, the Samabai Samity's secretary — Kajal Paul Chowdhury said, "Before the pandemic in 2020, 10 to 14 trucks loaded with fish of various varieties from Andhra Pradesh. However, for the last 24 months, the iimport quantity has drastically come down. Presently, only five to six trucks arrive Guwahati daily.
"We used to supply the imported fish to many of our retailers on credit. However, the majority among such retailers are yet to refurbish their balance amounts. Many retailers have even eft the business as they have been facing loss, and were finding it rather tough to mke the both ends meet. This has sharply hit us below the belt. The punch was the hardest during the first phase of the pandemic."
Providing details, Paul Chowdury added, "The main issue is that though we provide the imported fish to the retailers on credit yet we must pay on a daily basis to the companies or firms that supply those items. If we fail to do so even for a single day, the firms in Andhra Pradesh, not only stop their consignments but also of the other fish-suppying firms of that State. This impasse continues till we clear our dues."
Paul Chowdury further said, "We didn't get any relief package from the government during the initial phase of the pandemic. Owing to the COVID-19-related SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) during the second lockdown, we could not transport our fish to the markets as the drivers of the vans and other small goods-carrying vehicles faced issues from the administration. Many were fined for various reasons. And, this factor seriously hampered the businesss... the drivers and also the vehicle owners started giving a second thought on their business related to the imported fish market. Many even withdrew from the sector.
"The business has also come down as the retailer fish sellers now procure very limited items. This is because, they cannot sell fish in the evening owing to the COVID SOP."
When asked if the Guwhati and suburb markets are being captured by the retailers of local fish varities, Paul Chowdhury said, "The wholesale selling points of local fish are at Uzan Bazar and Hatigaon Bhetapara. I don't think that the sellers of local fish have been benefitted due to this typical COVID situation. The selling hours are the same. We look forward to the new SOPs from September 1; and expect good days hoping that we will get to feed the evening markets then. We further expect that the communication issues wil also get resolved after the new set of SOPs are announced."
With reference to the imported fish consignments from other States, the secretary of the Samabai Samity Limited enumerated, "A truck carries 1,200 kg of fish. Some consignments also reach Guwahati via the rail route. On a daily basis, such import of dish of different varieties are from Delhi, Kanpur, Kolkata, Secunderabad, and Indore.
"However now, there is no import of the sea fish varities from Goa and Kerala due to a number of reasons besides the COVID-19 pandemic scene.
"Our wholesale market caters to the customers in Kamrup (M) and Kamrup (rural) districts and also Meghalaya. Some of the imported fish reach our market in Guwahati also from Goalpara. In Assam, our imported fish consignments are transported to the markets in Rangia, Mangaldoi, Chaygaon and Byrnihat — from where a significant portion gets transported to the various selling points in Meghalaya."
He added, "Wholesale fish markets are loacted in Goalpara, Barpeta, Nagoan, Tezpur, Tinsukia, Silchar, and Karimganj. The presently imported fish varities are Rohu, Bhakuwa, Kos, and Rup Chanda."
The prices of imported fish in general have come down by 20 to 40 per cent, pointed out Paul Chowdhury.
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