Key Facts
Kangra district received two state-of-the-art Food Safety on Wheels mobile testing labs in September 2024. However, even after 22 months, the vehicles have not been put to use because drivers and technical staff have not been appointed. As a result, the vans remain parked at Dharamshala hospital, and their batteries have started draining due to prolonged disuse.
Details of the Issue
The mobile labs were intended to conduct on-the-spot testing of food samples in markets, especially during festive seasons, to curb adulteration and raise public awareness about food safety. But without drivers and technical personnel, the entire initiative has stalled before becoming operational.
According to Dr. Savita Thakur, Additional Commissioner of the Food Safety Department, Kangra, “Staff ki tainati ke baad hi in vahnon ka upyog janhit mein kiya ja sakta hai.” (Only after staff deployment can these vehicles be used for public benefit.)
Impact on Food Safety
The non-utilization of these vans has led to technical issues, and restarting them will incur additional budgetary expenditure. The department is already grappling with a shortage of food safety officers and staff, which has also affected routine inspections across the district.
- Two vans idle for 22 months
- Batteries drained due to long-term parking
- Additional cost required to make them operational
- Regular food inspections hampered by staff shortage
What Readers Should Know
The Food Safety on Wheels scheme aims to empower local authorities to test food quality on the spot. In Kangra, the lack of manpower has rendered this initiative ineffective. The department has acknowledged the issue but no timeline for staff deployment has been announced. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and report suspected adulteration to the department.
FAQ
Why are the Food Safety on Wheels vans not operational in Kangra?
The vans have been idle for 22 months due to the non-deployment of drivers and technical staff.
When were these mobile labs provided to Kangra?
The two mobile food testing labs were provided in September 2024.
What is the purpose of these mobile labs?
They are meant for on-the-spot testing of food samples during festivals and other occasions, enabling immediate action against adulteration.
What has been the impact of the staff shortage?
The vans remain parked, batteries have drained, and regular food inspections have also been affected due to lack of staff.