Nagpur News: Divisional commissioner, B V Gopal Reddy has directed food and drug administration department (FDA) to take action against those stall directors who distribute free food to lakhs of devotees during Dhammachakra Pravartan Din without FDA’s permission.
Reddy reviewed preparations for Dhammachakra Pravartan Din in a meeting held at divisional commissionerate. Working president of Dikshabhoomi Smarak Samiti, Sadanand Fulzele, Vilas Gajghate, Namdeo Sute, Joseph, NIT chairman, Pravin Darade, district collector Saurabh Rao; municipal commissioner, Shyam Wardhane; additional police commissioner, Sanjay Saxena; deputy commissioner of police, S M Waghmare; deputy divisional commissioner Sanjaysingh Gautam and other officers attended the meeting.
It has been observed that every year, a large number of stalls distributing free food to devotees turn up from the areas like Rahate Colony Square, Central Jail Square, Janata Chowk and Agriculture College Hostel. Considering the possible threat of food poisoning, action against illegally set-up stalls will be taken.
It was further decided in the meeting that permission is mandatory for those wishing to distribute food.
From security point of view, 26 CCTV cameras will be installed in Dikshabhoomi area this year. The government is planning to install CCTV cameras permanently next year. As lakhs of devotees across the country visit Dikshabhoomi on Dhammachakra Pravartan Din, various programmes have been organised between October 11 and 14. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation will appoint volunteers for carrying out sanitation work in Dikshabhoomi area, municipal commissioner Wardhane informed in the meeting.
As many as 900 toilets will be established while there is arrangement of some mobile toilets to be established in Dikshabhoomi area. Taking the rush of devotees into consideration, the MSRTC has pressed 115 buses into services whereas NMC has made 65 Star Buses available to ferry devotees between Dikshabhoomi and Dragon Palace at Kamptee.
One permanent and four temporary electricity connections will be provided in case of power cut during Dhammachakra Pravartan Din function. Besides, accommodation for devotees would be arranged in nearby schools and colleges in case of rains, it was informed in the meeting.
