Nagpur: In what could be termed as sheer apathy of the district administration and the officials of food and drug administration over twenty five workers of Haldiram Company in Gumthala undergoing treatment for food poisoning in Government Medical College and Hospital, no accountability has been fixed on M/s Haldiram. It is evident from following observations:
Food and Drug Administration Department
When Nagpur Today tried to contact the Deputy Commissioner of Food and Drug Administration, Nagpur he chose not to respond to the telephonic call. Other officials too seem to be ignoring the calls made to them continuously.
Some officials of Food and Drug Administration on condition of anonymity spoke to Nagpur Today. It appears through their talks as if Haldiram Company has the protection of FDA department in Nagpur. While we pointed to them the various facts that have come to the fore especially on the part of the said company, its ‘namkins’ are reported to be adulterated with powdered chemical substances called ‘supercell fibre’ and ‘michel 1000 fibre’ (all chemical fibre supplements), which are said to be used in preparation of medicines, the officials of FDA claimed that a lot of people keep making wild accusations and allegations of adulteration, etc., ‘We can take action only when we get the chemical analysis report,’ he said, adding, ‘we have checked their plant and their production or manufacturing technology and ingredients, and we are satisfied by that.’
Why is the Nagpur media silent on the whole issue?
Isn’t it strange that Nagpur Media seems to have ignored such a big issue of twenty five workers of Haldiram Company undergoing treatment for food-poisoning because of rain-water contamination at the fault of Haldiram company?
Nagpur Today was flooded with calls asking credentials of the news and questions was raised since no newspaper in nagpur has carried this news how could you nail someone with such reputation. YES this callers are right , we at Nagpur Today are also asking our-self WHY Nagpur Media is quiet about such a serious issue? One often wonders what should be done to get the attention of the media houses in Nagpur.
Civic Administration
Is it not the duty of the civic administration led by District Collector to take immediate action against the Haldiram company officials for not ensuring clean potable water for their workers? Why is it that they are delaying action?
The Area Inspector of Food and Drug Administration after visiting the spot from where the twenty five workers were brought to GMCH for food poisoning claimed that it is because of water contamination, but that water contamination does not come under their jurisdiction.
The inspector had allegedly reported to Assistant Commissioner (Rural Nagpur) Food and Drug Administration M C Pawar that this issue does not fall within their jurisdiction and that it falls in the jurisdiction of Panchayat Samiti and District Administration.
… Samuel Gunashekran
