No check on artificial ripening of fruits, vegetables in Muktsar

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, June 20

Even though the district administration is trying hard to perform its best under the Tandarust Punjab Mission, it has yet to tighten the noose around those selling adulterated food items and using harmful chemicals to ripen fruits and vegetables.

However, Dr Sukhpal Singh, Chief Medical Officer, Muktsar, said, “Teams are conducting surprise checks in the district. Even today some samples of milk and milk products are lifted in Malout. We are not unnecessarily harassing shopkeepers. Earlier, some fruits were destroyed. Besides, we are spreading awareness as well.”

Asked how much quantity of fruit ripened with chemicals has been destroyed in the current month, he, however, could not give a satisfactory reply.

On the other hand, a random visit to various roads and markets in the district, the bus stand and railway stations revealed that chemically ripened fruits, especially mangoes, were still being sold.

Notably, under this programme, the district administration, along with officials of departments concerned, has taken samples of some human medicines and pesticides. The reported is, however, awaited.

Some motorcycles too have been impounded and challaned for noise pollution and modifying the silencers. Further, a four-day basketball tournament is scheduled to begin from July 5 in the district. Besides, it is planned to give free coaching in badminton to willing students of government schools. A tennis court is also being made in Muktsar.

The administration is distributing free saplings among the public on the basis of requests coming on a mobile application.

A spokesperson for the district administration said, “Though efforts are being made by all departments to speed up their works, some of them may be working at a slow pace. Their performance will be reviewed tomorrow in the monthly meetings to be chaired by the Deputy Commissioner.”