‘Spurious’ paneer: Minister orders sealing of factory, Rs 10L penalty

Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rajesh Nagar today issued directions to seal a factory, after its samples of paneer failed to pass food standards, and impose a fine of Rs 10 lakh on the owner.

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The minister was chairing the District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee meeting at the new mini-secretariat in Kurukshetra on Wednesday.

As many as 15 complaints were listed for the meeting, of which 10 were resolved while five were kept pending.

Following a complaint on sale of adulterated paneer, Nagar said the people involved in food adulteration would not be spared. He ordered the district administration to seal the factory and impose a fine of Rs 10 lakh on the factory owner for failed samples. “If the reports of the remaining two samples also fail, then impose another fine of Rs 5 lakh each on the failed samples. Sales of adulterated food items can't be allowed in the market at any cost and strict action will be taken against the people involved in such practices,” the minister said.

The minister also ordered the district administration to register an FIR for detailed investigation in this matter.

In a complaint against a ration depot holder for allegedly harassing the beneficiaries at Duda village, the minister directed the District Food and Civil Supplies Controller to stop the supply of the depot and get feedback from beneficiaries. The minister directed the official to suspend the licence of the depot holder if complaint was found to be true.

He also directed that a committee be formed under the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kurukshetra, to check the quality of the construction of a road from Jyotisar village to the third gate of Kurukshetra University. He ordered the PWD (B&R) to complete the construction of a road at Kheri Dabdalan village by March 10.

During the meeting, the minister issued directions in complaints related to land dispute, against a private hospital and illegal possession.

Speaking to mediapersons, Rajesh Nagar said, “While 10 complaints were resolved, five have been kept pending. Sometimes the complaints are kept pending in the want of further information or matter pending in some courts. The officials have been directed to resolve the complaints on priority.”

Congress Thanesar MLA Ashok Arora, Deputy Commissioner Neha Singh, Superintendent of Police Varun Singla, BJP district chief Sushil Rana and several other BJP leaders were present during the meeting.