Punjab govt committed to check adulteration in food items

Chandigarh, Mar 17 (UNI) The Punjab Government's intiative in checking sale of adulterated food items and psychotropic drugs had yielded positive results, Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla told the state assembly here today.

Replying to a querry by Amarjit Singh Sahi (BJP) during question hour, Ms Chawla said that during the last one year the health department had seized psychotropic drugs worth Rs 1.11 crore in the state, which was a record. This drive would continue this year too, she said while complimenting the health department staff.

She informed the assembly that during the previous Congress rule there were just six drug inspectors. However last year this present government recruited 13 drug inspectors to effectively carry out the campaign to check the sale of harmful drugs, she stated.

On the issue of checking adulteration in food items raised by Jatinder Singh Karhai (SAD), the Minister said that during laat year, 2377 samples of food items were taken. Of these 413 failed the lab tests and accordingly action was taken against the defaulters, she added.

She pointed out that during a raid at Patiala recently the health department seized 80 quintals of synthetic milk. The department has also stepped up its campaign to check the sale of adulterated 'gur' and 'mithai' (sweets), she added.

Ms Chawla said that for providing healthy food the government had designated 78 doctors as food inspectors.

UNI HS VN1854