Panel for lab testing of meat meant for supply to eateries

Raw meat meant for supplying to eateries and departmental stores in West Bengal should undergo tests at laboratories, said a panel set up to form a mechanism to keep a check on the quality of food following reports that a carcass meat racket is doing brisk business in the state.

At a meeting held at the state secretariat today, the high-powered committee decided that the meat meant for supply to markets, restaurants, hotels and departmental stores should undergo tests beforehand, a senior official who is a member of the committee told PTI.

The meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Malay De also reached a consensus about frequent surprise visits to the places from where the meats are supplied, he said.

Meanwhile, the state CID has conducted raids at Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district in search of the people associated with the carcass meat racket.

"We conducted raids at places in Sonarpur last night in search of the people who were helping the main accused Biswanath Garai in this case. All seems to have gone into hiding, but we will soon arrest them," A CID officer said.

The CID, who was handed over the case yesterday, also formed an SIT today to look into the seizure of carcass meat, reported from Budge Budge in South 24 Parganas district and Bangaon in North 24 Parganas district.

Over the last few weeks, 11 persons, including a leader of a political party, have been arrested in connection with the carcass scandal.

The government has directed all the police stations in the state to keep a watch on the sale of meat in their areas.