The Gauhati High Court has directed the Fishery Department of the Assam Government to submit an affidavit detailing the actions taken under the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for restricting the import, stocking, and sale of fish from other states, with a focus on fish preserved with formaldehyde. The order pertains to Kamrup (Metro) district and comes amid concerns about the use of harmful chemicals to keep fish marketable for longer durations.
The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Suman Shyam, issued this directive after hearing arguments related to the implementation of the SOP. The Assam Government, through a notification dated January 20, 2024, had established these SOPs to manage the import of fish from other states via road and river routes, ensuring they meet safety standards.
However, the petitioner’s counsel raised concerns about inconsistencies in inspection results from various agencies, indicating possible shortcomings in the SOPs. The court was informed that there was a discrepancy in the test results from different institutions, including the State Public Health Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Gauhati University, Nagaon College, Dibrugarh University, and district-level officers of the Fishery Department. The petitioner’s counsel stated that while other agencies detected the presence of formaldehyde in fish imported from other states, the fishery department’s own survey found no evidence of the chemical.
Given these inconsistencies, the High Court has ordered the fishery department to submit a detailed affidavit within three weeks, providing information on the steps taken in Kamrup (Metro) district and the results of tests conducted by the designated nodal agencies under the SOP. The court has scheduled the next hearing for May 13, 2024.