| Meant for industrial use, tamarind sold to public in Kathua | | DFCO receives complaints, doesn't act | | GS Asgotra
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 20: A Kathua-based dealer is selling a substandard variety of tamarind, which is meant for industrial purpose, to people, and despite receiving repeated complaints the Drugs and Food Control Organisation (DFCO) has failed to act against the trader.
Source told Early Times that the dealer, Mulkh Raj Kuldeep Kumar alias Jandi Wale, has been openly selling the inferior quality tamarind for a long time.
"As the trader wields a lot of influence, the officials of (DFCO) do not dare to penalize him for selling the substandard tamarind," said sources.
"Even the manufacturer 'Chuni Lal Subash Chander' mentions in bold letters that the product is only used for industrial purposes, not for humans. But the Kathua trader has been selling tamarind," they said.
Neelam Sharma, of Govindsar, who called herself a regular costumer of the Jandi Wale, said, "For decades we have been buying merchandise from the shop, but my consent he packed substandard tamarind in the kiryana."
She said she felt so disappointed when her daughter told her why she had purchased substandard tamarind which is used in industries and is not fit for human consumption.
"To earn more profit, the shopkeeper is playing with health of gullible masses," Neelam said.
When contacted DFCO officer, Subash Chander Raina said they had received a complaint against the Kathua dealer.
"We had collected samples and sent to Jammu laboratory for testing.
The laboratory officials, however, said that it was clearly mentioned on the tamarind packet that it is for industrial purposes and not for human consumption."
Raina added: "Earlier, when I talked to the shopkeeper, he maintained that before selling the product they make it clear to the customer that it is for industrial use only." |
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