Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 1: Government would setup mobile food testing laboratories in all districts besides upgrading the existing food testing laboratories in two capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar to check food adulteration.
The decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting chaired by the Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmad Khan.
He said the food testing labs in Srinagar and Jammu cities would be upgraded to the national level testing labs at a cost of Rs 10 crore.
He said Government has already decided to create as many as 36 posts of different categories, to provide required staff in the Food and Drug Organization.
Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Shaleen Kabra, Director Health Services Kashmir, Saleem -Ur-Rehman, Controller Drug and Food Organization, Satish Gupta, Deputy Drug and Food Controller Drug and Food Organization, Nazir Ahmad, Designated Officers of all the districts of Kashmir Division attended the meeting.
The Health Minister said that DFCO is an important organization related to the health of the people, adding that Government was endeavoring to further improve its functioning and bring more transparency and accountability in it.
“Nobody would be allowed to play with the lives of the people by resorting to adulteration in Food and Drug items for satiating their petty benefits”, Mr. Shabir asserted. He said the market checking squads of DFCO have been asked to work without any fear or favour and impose heavy penalties on the persons indulging in food adulteration, adding that their licenses should be cancelled without any discrimination. He instructed Controller Drug and Food Control to ensure that no attachment of the staff is made as it badly effects the functioning of the departments.
The Minister impressed upon the field functionaries to implement the Drug and Foods Act in vogue in the State to curb the menace of adulteration. He also called for organizing anti-tobacco seminars and workshops in educational institutions by involving NGOs and health experts. He directed concerned to make surprise checks in offices, public places and fine the smokers under the Act.
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