Fruits and vegetable markets all across the entire state have been checked 13 times from 2018-2020 and 1184.98 quintals of substandard

Chandigarh: The flagship scheme, Mission Tandarust Punjab was commenced in the year 2018 to ensure robust health of the people of Punjab.

Keeping in mind this target and in order to ensure quality food products to the people, the fruit and vegetable markets all across the entire state have been checked 13 times from 2018-2020 and 1184.98 quintals of substandard fruits and vegetables have been destroyed.

Kahan Singh PannuThis was disclosed by the Mission Director of Mission Tandarust Punjab, Kahan Singh Pannu late evening yesterday while conducting surprise check on the fruits and vegetables. He also said that despite the corona virus pandemic, there was no let up in the checking drive.

It is also worth mentioning that under the Mission Tandarust Punjab, on 25th of June, the 72 prominent fruits and vegetables markets were subjected to intense checking by the teams formed at the division, District and Secretary, Market Committee level which also include the Health and Horticulture Department officers.

The fruits and vegetables were subjected to thorough checking on various parameters such as ripening and maintaining them with unscientific methods.

Apart from this, scores of plastic bags were also confiscated on the spot. The checking teams also made the farmers aware about not using such bags and the commission agents were issued notices to not use the same.

During the checking, the unedible fruits and vegetables to the tune of 66.22 quintals, were also destroyed on the spot.

PhotoIn Hoshiarpur 1.52 quintals of mango, tomato and litchi, Garhshankar 1.80 quintals of potato and grapes, Rupnagar 5.50 quintals of fruits and vegetables, Sri Anandpur Sahib 5.20 quintals of tomato and mango, Ludhiana 5.97 quintals of fruits and vegetables, Jagraon 1.35 quintals of fruits and vegetables, Batala 1.88 quintals of fruits and vegetables, Pathankot 2.40 quintals of fruits and vegetables, Gurdaspur 1.25 quintals of fruits and Rajpura 2.22 quintals of vegetables.

Adding on, Patiala 4.15 quintals of fruits and vegetables, Patran 2.50 quintals of fruits and vegetables, Nabha 1.08 quintals of fruits and vegetables, Samana 1.58 quintals of fruits and vegetables, Barnala 2.50 quintals of fruits and vegetables, Sirhind 2.00 quintals of mango, Bathinda 3.80 quintals of fruits and vegetables, Faridkot 2.00 quintals of fruits and vegetables and in Mansa 4.00 quintals of fruits and vegetables were also destroyed.

Besides, the fruit market in Bathinda was closed but in the retail market, the rehri vendors had ripened the mango with calcium carbide in an unscientific way. These were destroyed and 2 rehris confiscated.