Panaji: Fisheries minister Nilkanth Halarnkar on Tuesday said govt will take action if the National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO) findings of cadmium contamination in oyster samples collected in Goa are verified.A recent study reportedly detected cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, in oysters, raising concerns over seafood safety. Halarnkar said govt would examine and verify the report before initiating any action.“If it is a cognisable matter, govt and the chief minister will take 100% action. We are answerable to the people,” he said.The minister, however, stressed that govt cannot act on unverified information in the public domain. “Until the report is officially submitted, we have no basis to act,” he said.Referring to a similar controversy earlier this year, Halarnkar cited a Goa University study that reported elevated levels of heavy metals in fish caught off Caranzalem beach. He said scientific reports must first be submitted to govt for verification before conclusions are drawn.He added that CSIR-NIO, being a central govt institution, should formally submit its findings to the state, after which govt will assess the report and take appropriate action in the interest of public health if required.
