After fishermen who sold their catch in the Sassoon Docks — one of the largest fish markets in Mumbai — went on a strike demanding the use of electronic weighing scales, the government has made it mandatory for commission agents and exporters to use these modern weighing equipment in fish purchases.
Claiming that mechanical weighing scales used by commission agents did not give an exact weight of the catch, fishermen at the Sassoon Docks had gone on a strike from November 15 to demand the use of electronic equipment. The docks located at Colaba see fishermen from Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Karanja, Rewas, Alibaug, Uran, Mora, Murud and even Srivardhan bring their boats to sell fish to commission agents. These agents sell it further to exporters. Fishermen from Palghar and Dahanu also bring fish in vehicles for sale to agents who in turn pass it on to exporters.
"We have made it mandatory to install electronic weighing machines... the strike will be withdrawn soon," finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, who held a meeting in this regard on Friday, told dna. Mungantiwar said the state had issued an order on Thursday making the use of electronic weighing scales mandatory.
Amol Rogey, chairman, Shree Martand Prasanna Matsyaudyog Vividha Karyakari Sahakari Sanstha, an association of fishermen, said they could not get an exact estimate of the weight of their catch in the present system. He said that the strike would be withdrawn after the electronic machines were set up and added the suppliers were demanding that the exporters, to whom they sold fish to, also set up the system. At times, the agents have to also face losses as the fish consists of ice and water, he said.
Another fishermen said the agents had asked for time to set up the new weighing machines as it was not possible to change the old system in a day's time. The fish are sold in baskets weighing 40kg each. The Sasson Docks see fish like Surmai, prawns and Singhara being sold.
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