FAISALABAD
A task force has been constituted to monitor and oversee the anti-adulteration campaign on sustainable basis for the provision of safe and quality food to the citizens of Faisalabad Division.
According to a notification issued by the Punjab secretary food, MPA Haji Khalid Saeed has been nominated as chairman while the divisional commissioner would act as secretary of the Divisional Task Force. Other members include MPAs Rao Kashif Rahim Khan, Mian Rafique, Khurram Abbas, Imtiaz Ahmad, RPO, DCOs, SSP (special branch), the director health services, deputy director food, EDO (agriculture) and food technologist. It would be notified by the task force secretary with the consultation of the chairman.
Its first meeting was held at the Commissioner Office. In his introductory remarks, the chairman said that the Punjab government had taken very serious and solid steps to curb adulteration in edibles and the task force at divisional level has been constituted under the directions of CM Punjab to monitor and make the anti-adulteration drive a success.
He said that adulterators would be dealt with sternly and full power would be utilised for the eradication of adulteration in edibles. He emphasised upon the departments concerned to perform their duties with dedication for achieving the desired results of the campaign. He pledged all-out cooperation from the parliamentarians, and said that enemies of human health should not be spared for doing adulteration. Divisional Commissioner/Secretary Divisional Task Force Capt (R) Nasim Nawaz stressed effective steps to make the adulteration campaign a success, He said that rules and legal procedure should be followed while taking action against the adulteration mafia.
He directed focusing on checking of the quality of all types of food items especially milk and milk products, cooking oil/ghee, water, food products, beverages, ice factories, soda water, spices and ensuring safe and hygienic food by processing units, hotels, eateries and restaurants.
The MPAs said that the elimination of adulteration in food was not only legal responsibility but also it was a great social service to save the health of human beings. They stressed effective pursuance of the adulteration cases before the courts so that the accused could be taken to task. The police officers pledged their full cooperation during crackdowns against the adulteration mafia.
The DCOs of the four districts gave briefing about the steps taken under the anti-adulteration drive, and said that the food processing units, hotels and other food factories had been warned to mend their ways otherwise, if poor quality, sub standards manufacturing of food items and adulteration was found in anywhere, the defaulters would be sent behind bars.