Feast, but at your own risk - Most grub corners in state have no licence

One of the many eateries that have mushroomed in Ranchi. Picture by Hardeep SinghWatch what you eat. No, we are not policing your muffin-tops. Yes, we are worried about your health.For, at least 90 per cent of small and big eateries, street grub vendors, and retail stores and transporters involved in the food business in Jharkhand do not have the mandatory registration/licence to operate.Worse, the food controller is clueless about the exact number of illegal outlets that may have mushroomed across the state in more than a decade. So, while the government naps on necessary crackdown, you may want to seek a food safety permit from the restaurant you next visit for lunch or dinner.

Under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act (2006), any company/vendor/hawker/transporter involved in the food trade needs to apply for a licence or registration (as applicable) latest by February 4, 2013.

However, earlier this year, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) — the Centre’s nodal agency for quality control and monitoring — extended the deadline by a year. Still, the response has been tepid.

According to figures made available by the state food directorate, only 2,000-odd business entities from across the state had sought their permits. Directorate sources also conceded that no new applications were pending for clearance.

Food controller T.P. Burnwal could not say how many eateries were operating illegally across Jharkhand. Capital Ranchi roughly has 5,000 hotels, restaurants, dhabas and street food joints. Not more than 10 per cent are registered, sources claimed.

“How can the exact number of food traders be known if they don’t register or seek licences from us?” Burnwal said. “Since December 2012, a little over 2,000 businesses have either sought licence or got themselves registered. I admit it is a sorry figure and of grave concern, but we are helpless. Respective district administrations have to step up quality control,” he added.

The fee for acquiring licence/registration is paltry and depends on turnover. For vendors, cart owners, food manufacturers, retail outlet owners, transporters, et al, whose annual income is less than Rs 12 lakh, the registration fee is just Rs 100.

The licence for small traders (turnover Rs 12-25 lakh) comes for Rs 2,000, while big traders pay Rs 3,000. Manufacturers (turnover Rs 25 lakh and above) have to shell out Rs 5,000. Giant companies, which manufacture and also maintain food depot/stocks under the same brand name, are required to pay Rs 7,500.

If fee is not an obstacle, what is stopping grub businesses from seeking permits to operate?

“It could be lack of awareness or sheer unwillingness because our special camps have received poor response in the past,” Burnwal said. He added that he would issue notices to district food inspectors next month.

The catch is Jharkhand has only six food inspectors instead of 24, one each for every district. Though 194 medical officers were asked to double up as food inspectors in April to cushion manpower crunch, few took their job seriously.

Incidentally, a famous eatery in Ranchi, Rasiklal, was slapped a fine of Rs 5 lakh by the district administration for substandard mithai and snacks during Diwali.

But then, crackdowns like these are token acts restricted to special occasions.

Capitol Group, one of the prominent hospitality establishments in the capital and among the few permit-holders, blamed the government’s inefficiency and the “chalta hai” attitude of people for the looming health risk.

Burnwal denied allegations. “On December 2, I have summoned my officials for a meeting. We may use the cane (to streamline things),” he said.

Will you stop eating outside?