Closure of IRCTC contractor's kitchen: railway panel to look into larger issues
A high-level committee comprising Divisional Commercial Manager, Thiruvananthapuram; Health Officer, Thiruvananthapuram; and Area Manager, IRCTC; was constituted on the day the Health wing of the Kochi Corporation sealed the catering unit, Brindavan Food Products, following the seizure of large quantities of stale food and discovering the unhygienic state of its kitchen.
The decision to slap a fine of ₹1 lakh on the unit was taken at the preliminary meeting of the committee, which also asked the IRCTC to take stern action. The committee will look into the quality of food being served on trains and recommend corrective measures, wherever necessary, sources said.
Inspection on Saturday
The Kochi city Corporation has been informed of the proposed visit of the committee to inspect the catering unit on Saturday.
The catering unit will have to comply with all requirements before resuming operations, according to sources. 'Initially, they will have to secure a no objection certificate from the Pollution Control Board and then apply for licences from the Corporation and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The unit will have to ensure necessary waste disposal and management facilities, clean drinking water and health cards for its kitchen workers. The unit didn't have the Corporation licence. It had a registration from the FSSAI, but its scale of operation warranted a licence from the authority,' said Corporation sources.
Multiple notices
The firm has been under the Corporation Health wing's scanner for a few months following complaints from people and has been served multiple notices. The Health wing on Thursday submitted a report to the Corporation Secretary on the action taken against the unit. The action was taken under the Kerala Municipality Act Section 447 (licensing for the use of places within the municipal area for various purposes) and 340A (prohibited waste disposal).
The stale food seized from the unit was sent to Brahmapuram for disposal.
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