The nameplate has once again sparked discussion in Uttar Pradesh. The Yogi government has now ordered police to conduct verification of dhabas and restaurants and asked for boards to be put up with the names and addresses of operators, owners and managers, among others. The government has made it clear that if a situation of mixed waste is found in a restaurant or dhaba, strict action should be taken against its operators. This new order from the Yogi government is seen as the second version of the order regarding nameplates of street vendors. At that time (two months ago) the order was issued during Kanwar Yatra. This was followed by statewide implementation. However, the Supreme Court later banned the practice.
In fact, food adulteration incidents have been common recently. Urine was found at a juice shop in Ghaziabad. The allegation is that the owner laced the juice with urine. On September 12, a video of a teenager allegedly spitting while preparing roti at a restaurant in Saharanpur district went viral. The restaurant owner was arrested in connection with the case. In June, two people were arrested in Noida for selling juice contaminated with saliva. The government has directed that these issues be dealt with strictly. Now, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed to bring changes in the Food Safety and Standards Act.
What orders has the chief minister given now?
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday directed strict action against those who adulterate waste/dirt in food. The government said it has taken note of such incidents in different parts of the country. At a high-level meeting in Lucknow, the Chief Minister also directed a thorough investigation and verification of all hotels/hotels/restaurants and other establishments in the state. Taking into account the health and safety of the people, he also instructed that the regulations be modified as necessary.
Why did the government issue this order?
The government said that of late, incidents of adulteration of human excreta/inedible/dirty items in food items such as juices, pulses and rotis have been reported in several parts of the country. Such incidents are gruesome and have adverse effects on the health of common people. Such malicious attempts are simply unacceptable. Concrete arrangements are necessary to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in Uttar Pradesh.
What will become important now?
-Food and beverage establishments such as dhabas/restaurants will be inspected. Intensive activities will be carried out across the state. Verifications will be carried out on all staff working there, including the operators of these establishments. The operation will soon be completed by a joint team of the Food Safety and Drug Administration, police and local government.
– The name and address of the operator, owner, manager, etc. will be prominently displayed in the catering establishment. In this regard, the Food Safety and Standards Act will also be revised as necessary.
– Eating places such as dhabas/hotels/restaurants should be equipped with CCTV. Not only the customer seating area but other parts of the establishment should also have CCTV surveillance. It will be ensured that each venue operator’s CCTV signal remains secure and made available to the police/local authority where required.
Catering centers should be kept clean. Will ensure that relevant personnel actually use masks/gloves when preparing and serving food. There should be no oversight in this.
——The health interests of the broad masses of the people cannot be manipulated in any way. Strict action will be taken against those who make such attempts. Rules regarding food production, sale or other related activities will become more stringent due to practical considerations. Immediate action should be taken against rule violations.
The Minister said – What’s the benefit of hiding your identity?
Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’, Minister of State (Independent Charge), AYUSH, Food Safety and Drug Administration said that inspection of all shops has been ordered. CCTV cameras will be installed. Restaurant workers should wear masks and gloves. What are the benefits of hiding your identity? Meanwhile, the opposition parties also criticized the government’s move.
SP said – If the intention is right, then the government should open canteens.
SP MLA from Lucknow Central Ravidas Mehrotra said the move was aimed at reducing sales to people from Dalits, backward groups and minority communities. That is the reason for taking this authoritarian step. He said that in the 2022 assembly elections, the SP promised to establish “socialist” canteens where clean and sufficient food could be purchased at Rs 10 per plate. If the CM’s intentions are correct, then shops and dhabas should open and one can have a proper meal for Rs 10.
The wrong practice of taking money first should stop
UP Congress president Ajay Rai said that the GSTIN numbers on the nameplates of hotel/restaurant owners already contain all the details and have been handed over to the government. In the case of food, testing should be done. The wrong practice of taking money from each store every month should be corrected first.
What order did the UP government give two months ago?
In fact, in July, the UP Muzaffarnagar police had directed all restaurants on the Kanwar Yatra route to put up name plates of their owners. Later the Uttar Pradesh government implemented this order across the state. The government argued that the aim was to increase transparency in the food consumed by Kanwariyas. But it was criticized by some and attacked by the opposition. When the matter reached the Supreme Court, the court stayed the Uttar Pradesh government’s order.
Earlier, the opposition claimed that the order was communal and divisive in nature and aimed at targeting Muslims and surface castes (SC) to force them to reveal their identities. The BJP, however, said the step was taken keeping in view law and order issues and religious sentiments of pilgrims.
