Minister vows strict action from five-star hotels to street vendors; spoiled rice seized from FCI warehouse in Sumbal
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar,(DD) In response to rising public concerns over adulterated and rotten meat being sold in markets, the Jammu and Kashmir government has launched a comprehensive crackdown across the region. The drive is being led by Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Satish Sharma, who has assured the public that no one involved in the illegal trade of substandard food will be spared.
“Samples will be collected from all establishments — whether five-star hotels or roadside eateries. Anyone found endangering public health will face strict consequences,” Sharma said, adding that the government is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness.
Over the past week, Food Safety Department teams have conducted multiple raids in different parts of the Kashmir Valley, recovering large quantities of spoiled meat and unfit-for-consumption chicken. In one case, officials seized decaying chicken in Srinagar. Some traders argued that spoilage occurred due to faulty refrigeration, but authorities questioned how such perishable items were stored and sold without proper cold chain systems.
Sharma stated that a high-level task force is being formed to develop a robust action plan to eliminate the supply of harmful food products. He also revealed that consultations had already taken place with the Health
Rotten Rice Seized in Sumbal
In a related development, a significant quantity of foul-smelling rice was seized from a Food Corporation of India (FCI) warehouse in Sumbal, Bandipora district. The rice had reportedly been transported from Punjab and was found to be unfit for human consumption.
Sharma clarified that while the rice had reached FCI storage units, it had not yet entered the Public Distribution System (PDS). “There are strict checks in place. If anything is found spoiled, it is rejected and returned. This particular stock appears to have been damaged during transit, and an inquiry is already underway,” he said.
He reassured the public that quality control remains a top priority, especially for staple foods, and any lapses — whether in transport or storage — will be met with swift and stern action(DD)