BJP leaders express ire at ‘negligence’ of food safety officials

BJP leader Raveendra Medapati along with party leaders and activists staged a protest and raised slogans over the negligent attitude of food safety officials after visiting the Food Safety Office, located near the Government ENT Hospital at Peda Waltair. He alleged that their indifference was endangering the lives of people.

He highlighted that the Centre had sanctioned ₹45 lakh-worth ‘Food Safety on Wheels’ vehicle, apart from sanctioning funds yearly for its maintenance. It has been two years, and the State Food Safety officials have yet to put the vehicle to use. He said: “The incidence of cancer is growing, and it is due to the consumption of adulterated food. The food safety officials should conduct periodic inspection of food manufacturing and distribution units and initiate stringent action to prevent food adulteration.”

He warned that the BJP would launch agitations in a phased manner if the ‘Food Safety on Wheels’ vehicle continues to remain unused. He recalled that in the recent past students of government and private hostels fell seriously ill, and there were registered deaths too due to food poisoning.

District Assistant Food Controller Kalyan Chakravarthy said that the van could not be brought into use due to lack of staff. He assured to recruit staff within 15 days, and deploy the ‘Food Safety on Wheels’ vehicle. He added that measures would be taken to display the mobile numbers of food safety officials at all food supply and distribution centres.