Surjit Kumar Jayani, Health Minister Punjab today conducted surprise raids in the canteens of Punjab Civil Secretariat and expressed concern over lack of cleanliness and hygiene in all the three canteens serving food and snacks to thousands of employees and visitors daily. Mr. Jayani on receiving complaints regarding the unclean surroundings in the civil secretariat canteens, reached unannounced at the 10th floor canteen at about 2 pm where people were still having lunch. He was appalled at unclean surroundings especially in the chapatti making section and vegetables being cooked in old utensils. He was also not satisfied with the old plates in which employees were being served food. He had lunch with employees and expressed satisfaction over taste of food. He issued direction that food inspectors would regularly take the samples of all the raw material and cooked food of all the canteens and submit him weekly report in this regard.
Asking the canteen staff to improve hygiene, cleanliness and surroundings in all the three canteens,Jayani said that the canteens of secretariat should be a telling example of cleanliness for whole state. He said that he would again inspect these canteens as he wants these canteens to be showcased as shining example of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.Minutely checking the hygienic conditions in the canteen, The Minister directed the supervisor of the canteens to ensure cleanliness while cooking and serving food to people. He inquired about the oil being used for cooking, He was told that the raw material was being purchased on daily basis and consumed on the same day.
The Minister, however, pointed out the unclean and unhealthy way of cleaning the utensils. He directed the staff to ensure proper hygiene at the time of cleaning the utensils.Meanwhile, Mr. Jayani has directed the Food Inspectors to collect food samples especially the sweets like jalebi and burfis and send these samples to the laboratory to ensure that the eatables were fit for human consumption.Expressing concern over the unclean way of keeping the cooking oil meant for frying on the 3rd floor canteen, the Minister directed the supervisor and other staffs to keep all the eatables covered and ensure the surroundings of cooking areas free from germs.Referring to the state government’s initiative to check food adulteration, the Minister said that all the big and small eatery owners would be registered with the health department so as to keep a check on these eateries. He also said that frequent checks would be conducted on small and established hotels and eating joints in the state so that the hygienic conditions could be ensured.