RFID card irregularities: Goa fisheries director transferred

The Goa government has transferred state fisheries director Sharmila Monteiro following alleged irregularities in the distribution of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards to the fishermen.
The state personnel department last night issued the transfer order, as per which Monteiro will now be the officer on special duty (OSD) to the director general of police (DGP).
Following Monteiro's transfer, state fisheries secretary Govind Jaiswal has been asked to hold the additional charge of the department's director, Goa fisheries minister Vinod Palyekar said today.
Palyekar had earlier recommended suspension of Monteiro over the alleged irregularities in the distribution of RFID cards to the fishermen.

The issue of RFID cards was raised by the opposition Congress and NCP during the state Assembly's monsoon session last month.
Palyekar had then assured the House that an inquiry would be conducted into the delay and irregularities in providing the RFID cards to the fishermen.

The RFID card is mandatory for the fishermen to venture into the sea for fishing.
The fishing season in the state resumed from July 31 after a 61-day ban during the rainy season.
Fishing constitutes a major industry in the coastal state which has seven jetties, where the catch lands before either being exported or sold in local market.