Manoj Godara, Chandigarh, September 8: A drive was undertaken at Hotel Taj, Sector 17,Chandigarh to enforce the provisions of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, the Value Added Tax 2005, the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, in compliance of the orders issued by District Magistrate, Chandigarh, Mr. Brijendra Singh. It was in continuation of the ongoing drive to check the conditions of preparation, storage and hygiene of food items in hotels and restaurants across the city.
During the course of the inspection, the hygienic conditions of the cooking areas and storage areas were checked. The standard of hygiene required to be maintained in the cooking/storage areas were found to be lacking. The cooking utensils and their lids were found to be very dirty. The tinning and enameling of the cooking utensils was not found to be carried out. Already served food which should have been discarded was kept with the food to be served. Prepared cold coffee was found to be stored in the deep freezer. Rasagullas and cow milk was kept in the washing sink. Dustbins full of garbage were kept right next to the places where vegetables, fruit and meat were being cut. The fans inside the deep freezer were covered with soot. The inspection team took four samples of prepared food which has been sent to the Food Laboratory for testing. Hotel Taj has been challaned under the provisions of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
On the excise side, during the inspection it was found that the prescribed registers were not being maintained. An underage person was serving liquor in the bar. Hotel Taj has also been challaned under the provisions of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914. Thorough scrutiny of the Accounts being maintained, verification of balance sheets and C forms account was carried out by the VAT team.
The scrutiny was conducted by a team of officers led by the ADC, Chandigarh, Capt. P. S. Shergill comprising of SDM (South) Prerna Puri and A. Muthamma along with the officials of Health Department and Excise & Taxation Department, Chandigarh. The Inspection teams comprised of Dr. Satbir Singh and Dr. Rajeev Khaneja, Inspectors from the Health Department, AETCs Naresh Dubey and Magnesh Sethi and Excise & Taxation Officers from the Excise & Taxation Department.
This check was undertaken to enforce the provisions of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, the Value Added Tax 2005, the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, in compliance of the orders issued by District Magistrate, Chandigarh, Brijendra Singh. Department of Excise & Taxation had earlier conducted similar raids on Chandigarh Club, Chandigarh Golf Club and Chandigarh Golf Range. “Such drives will be carried out in future as well” cited the official sources.