Srinagar, Aug 11, KNT: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed stringent punitive measures against those involved in selling or storing unsafe food items, asserting that public health cannot be compromised under any circumstances.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review the ongoing food safety enforcement campaign following recent seizures of unsafe meat and meat products in Kashmir Valley, the Chief Minister said that offenders endangering people’s lives must face criminal proceedings under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
“The grave problem appears to have remained unchecked for too long. Unscrupulous elements have played with the health and lives of people. This has to stop and those deliberately involved must face the law,” the Chief Minister said. He appreciated officials for exposing what he described as dangerous rot in the food chain and assured that the drive will continue without let-up.
To strengthen quality checks, Omar Abdullah ordered the establishment of entry-point testing facilities at Lakhanpur and Qazigund to screen all perishable items including mutton and chicken entering Jammu and Kashmir. He directed that food testing laboratories be set up in every district headquarters, replacing the present system where such facilities are limited to Jammu and Srinagar. He also stressed that no meat should be sold without proper clearance.
📢 8,000+ readers already joined for instant Kashmir News Trust updates
The Food Safety and Drugs Organization is to be further strengthened to enable rigorous monitoring and swift enforcement action. Deputy Commissioners have been told to personally lead surprise inspections in their districts, with immediate deployment of mobile food-testing vans to support these checks.
The Chief Minister also ordered the registration of all food traders, vendors, and distributors under a formal licensing framework, and announced the formation of an inter-departmental committee to ensure coordination in the distribution and sale of hygienic, fresh, and properly labelled perishable goods.
Omar Abdullah cautioned citizens against taking the law into their own hands and advised them to report violations to authorities instead. The Food Safety Department has been instructed to work with police for surprise raids while ensuring traders following rules are not harassed.
Departments have been directed to verify that meat comes from safe sources, that cold chains are maintained, and that storage facilities have adequate deep-freezing capacity. The Chief Minister expressed concern over the use of harmful chemicals, synthetic additives, and colouring agents, highlighting their severe health risks.
Health experts, including the Director of SKIMS and the Principal of GMC Srinagar, briefed the meeting on the hazards of food adulteration, urging changes in dietary habits to curb rising chronic diseases.
The meeting was attended by several ministers, senior officials, and department heads. Secretary Health and Medical Education Dr Abid Rashid Shah outlined recent enforcement actions, penalties under law, and a 30-day action plan which includes mapping all food businesses, intensified inspections, public reporting through Dial 104, community engagement, and setting up check posts at Lakhanpur and Qazigund.
Concluding the meeting, the Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to coordinated action against food safety violations to ensure the highest standards of public health. He urged people to remain vigilant and avoid buying processed meat from unauthorized vendors. [KNT]
