JMC CONTINUES DRIVE AGAINST FOOD ADULTERATION, POLYTHENE

15 kg food destroyed, Rs 12,600 fine realized

Jammu, June 25: In continuation of its drive against food/milk adulteration, smoking in public places, Gutka and polythene carry bags, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) today destroyed 15 kg of stale cooked food and seized about 18 kg of polythene carry bags besides realizing a fine of Rs 12,600 from the defaulters at different places across the city. 

The team of Health & Sanitation Wing of the JMC under the supervision of Dr. Mohd Saleem Khan, Health Officer, on the directions of Commissioner, inspected various food establishments like milk shops and milk vendors, hotels, restaurants, provisional stores, food stalls, sabzi vendors, fruit juice corners / vendors, tea stalls, ice cream corners, etc. at Bikram Chowk, Residency Road, Maheshpura Chowk, Bakshi Nagar, Railway Station, Kunjwani, Gangyal, Preet Nagar, Narwal, Nanak Nagar and their adjoining areas across Jammu City.

During the drive, 150 pouches of Pan Parag and Suhana brand Gutka were seized from the shopkeepers and vendors near T.B. Hospital area and Government Medical College Hospital (GMC&H) area. 

The defaulters were strictly warned not to sell the banned items in future otherwise, strict action shall be initiated against them under rules. The team also booked 06 under COTP Act 2003 and a fine of Rs. 800/- was realized as penalty from the defaulters. The citizens were also advised not to smoke in the public places as it is injurious not only to their health but to that of others also. 

About 15 kg of stale cooked food was also destroyed by the team on the spot which was found to be not fit for human consumption. The food business operators were also directed not to sell any type of unhygienic food not conforming to prescribed quality and standards. 

The JMC warned that strict action under Food Safety & Standards Act 2006 shall be taken against those found selling unhygienic food. The Health Officer also appealed to all the food business operators to apply / get renewed their food license before 04th of August 2014, otherwise action under rules shall be initiated against the defaulters.

Besides this, the team also seized about 18 kg of polythene carry bags. A fine of Rs. 11800 was also imposed on the defaulters. The JMC also requested the people not to use the polythene carry bags and cooperate it in making Jammu City free of polythene in this rainy season.