Ahmedabad civic body makes licensing for streateries mandatory

The health committee of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) held a meeting on Wednesday and discussed making provisions for the licensing of street food shops and vendors. This will require extra efforts from the laari walas and the street food shop owners, if they want to stay in business. 

Currently it is mandatory for street food shops to have a licence of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954. "However, the new Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 demands that they obtain a licence under this Act," said Suresh Patel, chairman of the health committee of AMC, while addressing the meeting.

Under the new Act introduced by the central government, it is mandatory for street food joints to have this license and also maintain hygienic conditions at the food outlets.
AMC officials will work towards the registration of all the street food outlets. Also, the street food joints with a turnover above Rs12 lakh per annum will have to register themselves, for which, identity cards will be issued to them. Renewal of the same will be done at a cost of Rs100. However, for lesser turnover, a renewal form costing Rs50 will be issued. The committee also discussed about the reform to be introduced in the AMC hospitals where part time doctors will be asked to work full time.