Meat of matter: Veg only again at food street

Chandigarh: Availability of only vegetarian food, charges similar to those at canteens of PGI and Panjab University (PU), Rs 10,000 penalty in case of overcharging and Rs 1 lakh reserve price of each kiosk per month are some of the key features the municipal corporation (MC) has incorporated in its MoU (memorandum of understanding) to be signed with eligible bidders for the Night Food Street, Sector 14, opposite PGI.

It will be for the first time the civic body will be holding e-tendering for the project. Earlier, kiosks were either given through the draw of lots or bidding system.

The MoU will be placed before members of the general house during the monthly house meeting of the civic body on Thursday. The Night Food Street has been shut since the last three months.

Under vegetarian food, Indian, Chinese, continental, south Indian, fast food, juices and cold drinks will be allowed at the kiosks. However, egg-based dishes would be allowed to be sold in the kiosks. The MoU clarified cooking would not be allowed in the kiosks and they would only sell food items.

According to the MoU, the reserve prices of each kiosk would be Rs 1 lakh per month with GST. Initially, the shops would be given for an year but will be extendable to a maximum of three years, subject to satisfactory performance and increase of 10% of last payable licence fee.

The applicant should have valid food licence under Food Safety Act issued by a competent authority. In the case of non-payment of the licence fee or non-use of such kiosks by the due or extended date not exceeding 60 days or breach or non-observance by the licencee of any of the conditions of the licence, it shall be lawful to terminate the licence.

Back after 3 months

The civic body had used the period of two-and-a-half months of the model code of conduct period owing to the Lok Sabha elections to prepare a MoU for the Night Food Street, which is all set to open after a gap of three months.

Rate list

The MoU clearly mentioned that the licence shall display the rate list of the eatable items at a place visible to all customers. The licencee shall keep kiosks and its surroundings in a clean and hygienic condition and no sale of tobacco would be allowed. Polythene bags shall not be allowed for packing of food items. Inspection of kiosks and food items and its charges are the key segments of the MoU.

Beware! The milk you are drinking might have detergent in it

01/7Packaged milk contains detergent and starch!

Come summer and demand for milk and milk products increases. The vast gap between demand and supply gives the market players a scope to play around with unfair means in order to make a profit. A recent raid in the dairy plant has revealed that the packaged milk is basically a concoction of milk, white paint and detergent. In case you are buying the packaged milk, there are chances you are consuming detergent in the name of milk.

02/7Dairy plant raid in Varanasi

Recently, a huge dairy plant was raided in Varanasi by the state's Food Department and over ten thousand litres of spurious milk, mixed with detergent was seized. Run by Pure Dairy Solutions, the plant had been marketing milk by the brand name Kashi Sanyog. During the raid, it was discovered that milk contained detergent, urea and starch.

03/7Why detergent and starch are added?

During the raid, it was revealed that most of the dairy plants in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab usually use these unfair means during summers when there is an acute shortage of milk.

04/7Patiala case

Last year during the summer season, a huge dairy plant in Patiala was raided and over seven thousand litres of adulterated milk, mixed with detergent powder was recovered. Around 323 bags (of 50 kg each) of skimmed milk using chemicals were also recovered from this plant.

05/7Delhi Food Safety Department report

Between January 2018 and April 2019 the milk test conducted by Delhi Food Safety Department reflects that all the milk products are sub-standard. During this period around 477 samples were tested in the Delhi-NCR region.

06/7AWBI guidelines

According to Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) 68.7 per cent of milk and milk products sold in India are not as per the standards laid down by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI). The research report says that the adulterated milk and related products have 45-60 percent detergents, caustic soda, glucose, white paint and refined oil in them.

07/7Verdict

It is recommended to buy fresh milk from the local milkman, as it is safer compared to packaged milk. Also, try to visit the cattle farm and buy milk after checking the purity of milk.