Prof. S.K BHALLA
This is sequel to yesterday’s news story about the aforesaid organisation of our UT by JK Global News . As per the information available, Commissioner, Food & Drugs Administration, J&K, Mr. Shakeel Ul Rehman, Head RCD, FSSAI and Mr. R.K Mittal Director FSSAI have to answer so many uncomfortable questions today. The already published details by the news agency and the take of Mr. Rehman has compelled me to write this post as I have been a victim of the administrative apathy of this Dept.
Immediately New Dilli Restaurant located behind Apsara complex, Gandhi Nagar must be sealed and a thorough checking of the entire premises of the said restaurant be ensured whose owner is reportedly one soft spoken Mr. Vaid. Mr. Vaid’s team has no right to serve stale and unhygienic food not only to me but also to all other valuable customers.
Insiders also told me that there is one special area earmarked in the said restaurant where at special preparations are served to a few bureaucrats, officers etc. to keep them in a good humour. One Mr. Pakhroo also visited New Dilli restaurant last week. Let Mr. Vaid deny. This is by way of an illustration.
The matter stands reported to Mr. Shakeel Ul Rehman and also one of his officers namely Mr. Dev Dutt Sharma, Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety, Jammu whose stomach was terribly upset yesterday and I pray to God that he recoups. Some say that action has been initiated but at least I am not aware of the details. Kya Yeh andar Ka Mamla Hai.
The story is not restricted to one particular Gandhi Nagar Restaurant but this sorry state of affairs is generally prevails without obstruction in majority of well known hotels and restaurants including couple of clubs under operation quid pro quo. If this is the sordid tale of food safety in heart of the Jammu city and one could imagine the mess prevailing among dhabas and eateries operating along National Highway in J&K.
Furthermore, I am being repeatedly told that ever since the initiation of New Excise Policy in our UT the standard of liquor has badly fallen. Some Punjabis with the blessings of locals are calling the shots. I have also heard about spurious liquor being sold and whether the outdated laboratory of Excise Dept. that can check the malady is operational or not must be inquired into. A wine trader also telephoned me that even the desi sharaab that is being sold is underweight. What the present Excise Commissioner is doing? Rahul Sharma one time Excise Commissioner has been inducted into IAS reportedly for his yeomanry services to the Dept. Inside story is known to everyone as to how the license distribution mess during his tenure became the talk of the town.
The present Excise Commissioner as per his own people enjoys proximity with a one who is not to be named as Govt. knows everything.
In the light of the aforesaid details LG/CS are requested to ensure that Mr. Shakeel Ul Rehman and his team are made accountable in all seriousness. What has been the contribution of this Dept. during the last 06-month must be made public. Don’t transfer Mr. Rehman, direct him to work.
Baat sirf itni si hai ki yeh raat bahut bhari hai, Karbala to kab ka beet chukka, magar jung abhi jaari hai.
Satayameva Jayate!
(The author of the article is a retired Principal of J&K Higher Education Deptt and an eminent Anti corruption crusader as well as Chairman of Civil Vigilance Cell)