Food safety in city, a myth

It’s a precarious position with only three food inspectors for 30 circles

When Bobbili Kiran Goud, a customer to a high profile restaurant complained about finding an insect in the food to the GHMC Food Safety wing, the answer he received was bemusing. The official concerned replied that he was busy at the moment, and could inspect the food joint only after two days.

In fact, the corporation officials who are to monitor food standards have their hands too busy and overflowing with work to take prompt action as soon as the complaint is received.

For the 30 circles in five zones of the corporation, there are only three food inspectors, and one among them is burdened with multiple responsibilities. This leaves food safety in numerous joints, hotels, restaurants and hospitals in a precarious position. “I have to handle cases pertaining to three zones and within 47 police station areas. Is it humanly possible to conduct field inspections in such wide geographical range ?” an official questions. Apart from ensuring food safety, the officials are also laden with additional responsibilities of attending court cases and RTI queries.

A deputy food controller has been appointed on deputation from Institute of Preventive Medicine to handle two more zones. Nevertheless, the official admits that food served by many restaurants and food joints does not match up to the standards, and at quite a few places, the conditions are “appalling”. It has been more than three months since the Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has sanctioned 26 posts of Food Inspectors, among the total 226 posts which received the nod.

However, the notification for filling up the posts has not been issued so far by the Telangana State Public Service Commission which is the recruiting authority. “After the notification is issued, it will take a minimum of eight to nine months for the recruitment process to be completed. After that, training of the candidates will take a few more months,” says the official.

The file pertaining to recruitments has reportedly been already sent to the TSPSC by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department.