Food Safety Act needs to be implemented at holy town

Katra, July 15: It is sad to say that despite passing of Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 in J&K state, its implantation in letter and spirits is not gaining ground. It is well known fact that for having darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji every day hundred of devotees used to visit base camp Katra and for the well-being of devotees at least Food Safety Act needs to be implemented vigorously, locals said. But concerned departmental officers are least bothered about the health hazards that can give rise to number of diseases after in taking contaminated foods generally sold out at reharis and shops under open sky.
In the town, there are number of dhabas, reharis at every nook and corner, where every day hundred of yatris have food, snacks and refreshment diet. But concerned departmental and administrative officers never seem to be serious enough to check about the level of hygienic food being served to devotees at number of reharis and dhabas. Youths including Sachin Sharma, Ankush Singh, Pardeep Kumar, Sandeep Sharma blamed the departmental officials who occasionally visit to collect fine just as an eye wash. One can even visit at the licensed reharis parked at main bus stand and Jammu- Udhampur roads to check the quality of food is being served to devotees. Surprisingly reharis are parked outside the Urianls at main Bus Stand Katra.