Special task force of FDA to conduct raids during festive season

Nagpur, Oct 16

A special task force has been formed in every division at state level to implement ban on gutkha and similar products effectively. This special task force should gather information secretly and organise raids, order food and drug administration minister Dr Rajendra Shingne.

The first meeting of special task force in Nagpur division was held on Friday in Nagpur. This was the first meeting in state. Shingne gave orders in this meeting. Shingne said, "The Maharashtra government has banned gutkha and similar products for one year. Tough action should be taken against those selling gutkha and banned food items so that they will have fear for law. Large scale smuggling of gutkha and similar products is done in Nagpur district and nearby bordering ares. Watch on smuggling of banned items should be kept and raids should be organised by taking secret information regularly. Help of police department should be taken in this regard. Betel nut trading is done on large scale in Nagpur and administration should keep control on it."

The minister further said that special drive should be taken up in regard or sellers of sweets and other food items during present festive season. The administration should ensure that people should get pure and quality sweets and food items. The administration should also take action against liquor manufacturers and sellers.

The minister also took review of online sale of medicines. He also asked food and drug administration to keep constant watch on remdesivir and oxygen and prevent black marketing.

Joint commissioner (food) of food and drug administration Chandrakant Pawar, officiating joint commissioner (medicine) Mahesh Gadekar, assistant commissioner (medicine) Pushpahas Ballal, food safety officers Manoj Tiwari and Anand Mahajan, along with food safety officer Yaduraj Dahatonde, Praveen Umap, Akhilesh Raut, Vinod Dhawad, Mahesh Chahande and Anantkumar Chaudhary were present during meeting.