MARGAO
An Estimate Committee of the Goa Legislative Assembly had in the early 90s mooted a host of measures to cap the sanitary and unhygienic conditions in eateries, restaurants, hotels, tea stalls, et al.
The list of measures stipulated in a circular issued around 25 years ago appears exhaustive, but the moot question remains - is any there any agency entrusted with the task of implementing sanitation and hygiene in the commercial capital, playing host to 500-odd eateries and establishments.
The Goan went in search of an answer to the oft repeated query, which led a startling revelation - that the municipality had virtually discontinued inspections of the eateries, bars and restaurants since the last two years on technical grounds. The reason: the municipal sanitation section no more conducts inspections of the eateries on the premise that the civic officials have entrusted the task of inspecting the premises of the business establishment at the time of issuing trade licence to the market inspectors. That's not all. Sanitary officials claimed that the taxation section no longer forwards any file pertaining to the renewal of the annual trade licences and that the trade licences are renewed without the mandatory inspections of the premises on the sanitation and hygiene front.
On the other hand, the municipal market inspectors who have been authorized to conduct inspections at the time of granting trade licences told The Goan that they inspect the premises taking into account the structure of the premises and have no brief to look into issues of sanitation and hygiene.
Resultantly, municipal officials in the know reveal that leave alone cracking a whip against the erring establishments, not a single eatery, including the restaurants, hotels, tea stalls, fast food kiosks, etc have been inspected by the Margao Municipal Council since the last two years, clearly violating the government's laid down guidelines.
"The sanitary section has stopped inspecting the eateries, hotels and restaurants ever since the the administration diluted the powers of the department to inspect the premises," remarked an official in the know.
While officials pointed out that former municipal chief officer had in around 2015 stripped the sanitary section of the powers to inspect the premises before issuing of the trade licence, it's still not known why the municipality have still not put an alternate mechanism in place to ensure periodic inspection of the eateries.
The Estimate Committee of the Goa Legislative Assembly had laid down a host of guidelines for the local civic bodies to implement and ensure clean and sanitary conditions in the premises of the eateries When contacted, MMC chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudesai told The Goan that she is aware of the fact that no inspection of the eateries has taken place in the city since the last two years. "I have discussed the matter with the Chief Officer and we will overcome the problem at the earliest," the MMC Chairperson stated.
