Officials raid ghee-making factory in Rajkot

The health department officials of Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) raided premises located on Kothariya road on Saturday and seized goods of 1,400 to 1,500 kilograms worth Rs 1.50 lakh fromthe spot.

"The business of preparing fake edible desi ghee had was flourishing in a huge manner in last two months. Acting on a tip-off, we seized 1,300 kilograms of fake edible desi ghee from this factory," said Pankaj Rathod of RMC's health department.

The estimated market price of the seizure is around Rs 1.50 lakh, the team also seized chemicals and other devices being used to manufacture the desi ghee, he added.

After receiving the report from the Baroda Food Laboratory, we have destroyed the stock of adulterated edible desi ghee, said Rathod.

During the raid, the official recovered a vessel which can manufacture 400 to 500 kilograms of ghee alongwith a stock of 50 tins of ghee and 14 jars comprising 40 kilograms of desi ghee each, sunflower oil, vegetable ghee, cream and edible permissible colors used for preparing the product.

The owner of the unit Haresh Gajera and Mansukh Vekariya, were not available during the raid.

"We had conducted atleast 12-15 such raids in last few years. But since there is no legal provision to raid such premises directly, we feel this business is once again flourishing," said Mahavirsinh Rana, sub-inspector, Quick Response Cell (QRC) of Rajkot Police.

However, if the corporation officials continue to deal with such operators, there are all the possibilities of nipping this activity in its budding stage, he added.