However, what is needed here is total elimination of the evil practice that exposes the consumers to some grave dangers, including damage of vital organs. Hence, the government should seriously consider the proposal put forward by the traders to intensify the drive against formalin users.

It seems all the rotten fish suddenly disappear into thin air and we find fish resistant to any kind of decomposition. But the cure turns out to be worse than the malady, as it has been discovered that formalin (a chemical substance used in plastic factories!) is being applied to fish and vegetables to keep them fresh. It is not known who invented this sinister method which amounts to slow-poisoning the consumers, but there is no doubt that very little was done in the past to punish the culprits. Drive against such foul practices did not have a prominent place in the work plans formulated by successive governments and general consumers were helpless.

The traders have demanded that their representatives be included in the monitoring committees along with the law enforcers. We believe they are not asking for too much, as it may help the committees to identify the real culprits while making sure that the innocents are not punished.

Fish and vegetables are two very important food items. So the presence of any poison in them is something that can only cause great worry to the consumers. The government has so far dealt with the issue very strongly. Now, by including the traders in the campaign against the use of toxic preservatives it can further strengthen the social resistance against the menace.