Purity, quality not on Admn’s mind No water samples collected from city eateries for testing during the past five years

There are a total of over 300 water tankers — operated by private contractors—supplying more than 4,000 litres of water every day to nearly 1,000 hotels, restaurants, dhabas and at functions involving large-scale cooking. 

Chandigarh, October 5

Even as the Chandigarh Administration claims to be having strict regulation on food items on its radar, both in terms of levying a variety of taxes and testing food samples to ensure if its fit for consumption, it has miserably failed to test samples of water being used for cooking at eating joints in the city.

Going by official records, not even a single sample of water used for cooking purpose in any of the city’s hotels, and eating joints has been taken and sent for examination atleast in the past five years.Gallons of water are being supplied everyday through direct taps (the municipal corporation supply) to a majority of medium-scale hotels, and through nearly 300 tankers to those without the direct supply. “Nobody knows whether the eating joints are using potable (drinking water) or unfit water for cooking since there have never been any checks,” said an official requesting anonymity.No records of testing of water stored in tankers or check on cleanliness of tankers are available with the UT Health Department. There are a total of over 300 water tankers — operated by private contractors—supplying more than 4,000 litres of water every day to nearly 1,000 hotels, restaurants, dhabas and at functions involving large-scale cooking, in different parts of the city.

Testing water samples mandatory

According to Section 3 (1)(j) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, water which is used for cooking is treated as a food component and hence, the sample is to be checked.

‘Provide direct supply’

Former MC Mayor Subhash Chawla said, “A majority of these small eating joints have been playing with the health of residents as they depend on unauthorised supply of water or unfit water. The best solution to the problem is to provide direct supply to all joints and there should be better coordination among all the related wings of the Administration.”

Food safety cell’s take

The testing of water comes under the purview of the municipal corporation’s public health wing.

— Dr KS Rana, Designated Officer, Food Safety Cell, Chandigarh.

Superintending engineer

The water which is being supplied by us meets all health standards. However, keeping vigil on the kind of water being used for cooking at eating joints and hotels is the job of the Health Department. .

— RC Dewan, Superintending Engineer, Public Health, MC.