No FSSAI licence for Indira Canteen a grave lapse, says Ms Pramila Nesargi

Bengaluru: BBMP, which should have been a role model for others to emulate, has set a wrong precedent with regard to state’s ambitious Indira Canteens. While the project is started with an intention to feed the poor, it was pushed in a tearing hurry and even without the much needed licences -one from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and trade licence from BBMP Health department.

Senior advocate Ms Pramila Nesargi told Deccan Chronicle, “This is a classic example of fence eating the crop. BBMP and state government officials have forgotten to take the needed licences. It clearly indicates the break neck hurry shown by the Congress led state government to get the project done for Independence Day and get it launched by party vice president Rahul Gandhi.”

Would the BBMP or the state government let a private operator run their business without the needed licences? She questioned. Running canteens and mega kitchens without licences is against the law and the guilty can be prosecuted, she added.

A top BBMP official, who did not wish to be named, said “You have driving licence which is valid all over India. Both the contractors- Mumbai-based Chef Talk and New Delhi NGO Rewards individually have FSSAI. But have to obtain it in Bangalore across all the kitchens.”

“Procedures have been initiated for FSSAI licences and for trade licences too. We shall get all of them by next week and display them at all canteens,” he added.