Were caught on camera offering bribe
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 2: Government today attached and de-notified the powers of two officers of the Food Safety Department over supply of sub-standard edible oil in Anantnag district of South Kashmir.
Commissioner Food Safety, J&K, Dr Abdul Kabir Dar, today attached two officers-Assistant Commissioner Food safety and Food Safety Officer Anantnag – with Deputy Commissioner, Food safety, Kashmir office and de-notified their powers.
“Consequent to circulation of a video clip on social media by reporter of Daily Excelsior newspaper and pending enquiry into the matter, it is herby ordered that the powers under Food Safety & Standards Act vested with Javed Ahmad Beigh, Designated Officer, District Anantnag & Altaf Hussain, Food Safety Officer, Mattan/Anantnag are herby withdrawn with immediate effect till further orders. They will remain attached with Office of Deputy Commissioner, Food Safety, Kashmir,” the order issued today read.
It is pertinent to mention here that Daily Excelsior on Thursday reported that various companies are allegedly supplying sub-standard edible oil in Anantnag district and other parts of Valley under the nose of Food Safety Department.
It was reported that from past two years, no samples of oils from various companies were taken by the Food Safety Department to check their authenticity and there are at least 25-30 brands of oil companies that are sold in the district.
Loose edible oil is being brought from outside in tankers and it is being packed in Anantnag town for last several years. The companies and officials of the Food Safety Department are in league and the substandard oil is being supplied to various parts of Valley.
When the reporter of Daily Excelsior contacted Food Safety Department regarding the matter, they were caught on camera offering a bribe of Rs 50,000 for not publishing the story.
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