State govt to inspect Subhiksha`s godowns

The Maharashtra Government today announced that it would recheck godowns of Subhiksha store chain following complaints of violation of hygiene norms.

Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Vasant Davkhare asked the government to recheck the godowns of Subhiksha store and cancel the licence if norms were violated. Taking note of the directives given by Davkhare, Minister of State for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Baba Siddiqui assured to recheck the godowns.

He said instructions would be given to the FDA Commissioner for the rechecking. When contacted, R Subramanian, promoter and managing director of Subhiksha, said, "There is no such ban by Maharashtra government. The activity at our stores is normal."

The licence of the store was cancelled from March 1 to March 10 and from June 23 to June 27 for not maintaining proper hygiene in the food packaging area, Siddiqui said.

According to the report prepared by FDA during earlier checking, food was found lying on floor amid spit and dust, leader of the opposition Pandurang PhundkarPhundkar said.

This posed danger to public health and the licence of the store should be cancelled by the government, he said.