the goan I network
VASCO
The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes directed a popular restaurant in Vasco to shut operations after a video clip of a rat eating food items displayed in the showcase of the restaurant went viral on social media on Tuesday morning.
The restaurant owner has, however, claimed that the video could either be doctored or that, the rat could have been planted by his rivals to malign his image.
The video clip showed a rat dancing around and eating food items in the showcase of the restaurant in broad daylight. The clip also captured a customer alerting the restaurant manager of the situation, but nothing was immediately done in the matter.
The video, which went viral on social media, quickly evoked sharp criticism and reactions from residents of Vasco, who began questioning the hygiene and standards maintained by the restaurant.
As soon as the video clip reached the attention of MMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes, he swung into action and sent an MMC officer to the restaurant to ascertain details.
On receiving feedback, Fernandes issued a “stop-work” order to the restaurant owner and also decided to cancel his trade licence. A show-cause notice was also sent to the owner.
When contacted, Fernandes said the video clearly showed the rat on the section where food items were kept in the restaurant’s showcase.
“This simply cannot be allowed as it could spread disease and cause health problems. This is totally unhygienic and after my officer verified the matter, I directed him to immediately issue a ‘stop-work’ order and I have also cancelled his trade licence. I have also issued the restaurant owner with a show-cause notice,” said Fernandes.
When contacted, the restaurant owner said he was out of Vasco when the video went viral and claimed that it could have been a doctored video or that, the rat could have been planted by his rivals to malign his image or that of his restaurant.
