No check on PM Singh's food? Served lunch by unlicenced firm

Jaipur, Jan 16: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Trinidad and Tobago counterpart Kamla Persad-Bissessarat at the Pravasi Bharatiya conference in Jaipur were served meal by an unlicenced catering firm.

It is believed that Sky Feast, the catering firm has no food licence, which is a must have under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Sources reveal that Sky Feast is an in-flight catering firm, that is based in Jaipur. Tenders were invited by Air India to serve lunch and breakfast to the Prime Ministers and the order was given to Sky Feast.

Reports reveal that a bank draft of Rs 2,000 was deposited by the firm along with an application to the health department on Jan 9, a day after Manmohan Singh inaugurated the conference.

Two food inspectors were also assigned by the state health inspector to check the food supplied to the two PMs, but interestingly the food was cleared without even checking if the firm had a license to supply it.

Sky Feast claims that it is in business since 2008 and its clients include airlines-Spice Jet, Indigo.

The fact that the firm had no license was confirmed by Dr Yatindra Singh, Chief Medical and Health Officer, Jaipur, who under the food safety law, keeps a tab on the activities of caterers and hotels.

"Yes, we had supplied breakfast and lunch for the PM and many others," said Gopal Singh, owner, Sky Feast.

He further said that their firm tried to get a licence from the Jaipur Municipal Corporation, but all his efforts went in vain. He has also lodged a complaint against a food inspector with the CMHO for demanding a bribe of Rs 10,000 for running the business without a licence.

"Yes, we had supplied breakfast and lunch for the PM and many others," he said.

Confirming Sky Feast's complaint, the CMHO said that action would be taken against the catering firm after investigating into the matter.

OneIndia News