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Paramakudi FSOs raid bakeries, demand money; throw fresh goodies in trash
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Friday, 27 April, 2012, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Akshay Kalbag, Mumbai
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fiogf49gjkf0d Bakers in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, witnessed Inspector Raj at its worst on the morning of Thursday, when a team of food safety officers (FSOs) visited their establishments and threw freshly-baked bread and decorated pieces of cake in a heap of rubbish along the road. They have decided to take up the matter with the local government authorities on Friday.
R Kaleeswaran, honorary secretary, Karaikudi Bakery Owners' Association (KBOA), told FnB News, “The FSOs’ conduct was extremely unprofessional. They quarrelled with the bakers; gave them challans and levied arbitrary charges ranging between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000. Those who paid were let off, but those who couldn't had to suffer considerable damage. This has caused them a great deal of distress.”
When asked why the bakers were forced to pay the money, Kaleeswaran said, “The FSOs wanted to merely fulfil their selfish needs. They would point out that the bakers weren't dressed in clean clothes; the bakery wasn't clean; there were no wash-basins, etc. These are just excuses to make money. However, there is a set of rules about cleanliness in the Act, which all FBOs are expected to comply with.”
“The bakers will ensure that action is taken against the FSO for their illegal acts. The Tamil Nadu Bakers Association will meet the district revenue officer (DRO), who is the adjudicating officer; the collector and the designated officer at the district headquarters, Ramanathapuram, and complain to him. After all, the food business operators' (FBOs) interests have to be protected,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court also granted the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry interim injunction restraining the state food safety commissioner from enforcing the licensing rules. Several petty food manufacturers' and traders' associations across the state, including the KBOA, have moved court in the past week.
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