Controversy over food given to CM during two-day sangat darshan in Jalandhar

A controversy has erupted over the food served to chief minister (CM) Parkash Singh Badal during the two-day sangat darshan programme in Adampur.

Additional deputy commissioner (ADC) (development) Girish Dayalan, who was heading the meeting of the district health society (DHS) on Tuesday morning, quizzed the food safety officers saying that the administration had got information from the police that the food given to the CM in the sangat darshan programme was not tested.

The ADC’s remarks left the food safety officer ‘shocked’.

Dayalan told them that the SSP rural had disclosed this to him.

Moreover, the ADC said that during the sangat darshan, a man came and offered a piece of sweet from the sweets box and the CM obliged the man by eating it.

The ADC said it was really surprising and asked the food safety officers about the procedure when food and other items are being to the CM and the deputy CM.

Food safety officer Harjot Pal Singh clarified that first they take the sample for testing and then, they taste themselves the food separately. He disclosed that the food safety team had always taken the sample of every food product, being given to the CM.

The ADC told them to ensure proper testing of foods given to the CM. A senior officer said when the CM or the deputy CM remain in the district, some senior Akali leaders and MLAs bring meal from their houses and offer it to them. Whenever the food safety team asks for the test of their food, they usually get angry and do not obey the instructions of the protocol. “If we argue with them, we face awkward situation,” added the officer.

The CM was in Jalandhar for two days from August 12 to 13 for sangat darshans in various villages in Adampur constituency.

Meanwhile, the ADC said that the city would get three new primary health centres at Dhannowali, Garha and Ladhewali localities.