Hyderabad: Section 277 of the Secunderabad Cantonment Board's trade licence rules forbid toilets in the cooking area of eateries, but six hotels, including Agra Sweet House at West Marredpally and Mother India Hotel at Tadbun, flouted this rule and were sealed. They reopened after their managements paid the penalty of Rs 1 lakh. But there was no improvement in the sanitary conditions for which they were shut down in the first place.
Of the several hotels sealed, two have been permitted to reopen after they whitewashed the cooking area, even though the SCB is yet to inspect them.
The Cantonment Board managed to increase its revenues with the fines that were paid. But no serious attempt has been made to fix the unhygienic conditions in which the eating places operate. Within a few days of being sealed, many establishments reopened after some quick-fix measures.
The first to reopen, within two days, was Agra Sweet House, which was shut down for having a toilet near the cooking area. Others that were shut down for the same reason are Mother India Hotel at Diamond Point, Step in Tea & Tiffins at Tadbun, Mahaveer Tiffins & Meals Centre at Secunderabad and Heera Moti Hotel in Picket.
Inspectors found the kitchen area of Om Shanthi among the worst. It is under renovation now. White Rose and Alfat Hotel, both in Kharkhana, were also pulled up. When questioned about the quick reopening of some of the eateries, food inspector and sanitary superintendent of SCB, M Devender, said, "Agra Sweets and Delhi 9 Sweet House were closed for a few days before Diwali.
However, the owners of the two houses paid the penalty and requested the SCB chief executive officer for special permission to reopen in view of Diwali, which was granted. The two sweet houses are yet to be inspected and action will be taken if the toilet area is not shifted out of the cooking area.
Among the sealed hotels that have opened after renovation is Masthan Hotel at Sikh village. Saba Hotel at Trimulgherry and Mother India at Diamond Point, however, have decided to shift premise.
“The SCB has drawn up a 16-point declaration form, which states the sanitation requirements when the eatery is under renovation. Unless hotels meet the norms, they cannot reopen. We are yet to inspect Agra Sweets,” an official said.
