Agra: District magistrate Ravi Kumar NG has ordered to put salaries of FSDA (Food Safety and Drug Administration) officials on hold over the issue of negligence in discharging duty. The DM has also sought a response from the concerned officials on delay in taking action after collecting food samples from commercial outlets.
Earlier, BJP leaders had accused FSDA staff of extorting money from local businessmen. Etmadpur MLA Rampratap Singh had met the DM after a sweet shop owner suffered a heart attack during an FSDA raid at his premises. Based on the MLA’s complaint, the DM had ordered an investigation into the incident. During the probe, it was found that the FSDA team didn’t follow the set procedure while collecting samples from the sweet shop.
According to sources, FSDA officials have come unprepared in several meetings called by the DM. They lack the required details to be tabled during the meeting. Further, some officials have been found to be not reporting about the raids conducted, samples sent for testing and action taken against adulterators.
DM Ravi Kumar NG said, “For laxity in work and violation of standard operating procedures, salaries of FSDA officials have been stopped. A report of last one year has been sought from them. On the basis of the report further action will be taken.”
The DM has also passed strict orders to FSDA to maintain transparency in food investigation process. The entire exercise of sample collection from eateries will now have to be recorded.
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