Maharashtra FDA cancels MLA hostel canteen caterer’s licence after MLA Sanjay Gaikwad complains of stale food
CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde reprimanded MLA Sanjay Gaikwad after he assaulted a staffer at the MLA hostel canteen in Mumbai on Tuesday night.
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Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspectors raid Akashwani canteen serving MLA hostel near Mantralaya, after Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Gaikwad allegedly assaulted a staffer over poor food quality, collect samples for test, in Mumbai on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration(FDA) on Wednesday issued a suspension notice to Ajanta Caterer, the operator of the Akashwani MLA hostel canteen in Mumbai, hours after Shiv Sena leader and MLA Sanjay Gaikwad assaulted a staffer there on Tuesday night, claiming that he was served stale food.
“…the license granted to your establishment from date 26-06-2024 to legal validity date 27-09-2027 is being suspended with immediate effect. You are further informed that during the license suspension period mentioned in the attached order, you or anyone on your behalf should not buy, sell or distribute food items, if found doing so, you should note that legal action will be taken against you for selling/distributing food items without a valid license as per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and the rules/regulations there under,” the FDA order said.
As a purported video of the assault surfaced on social media, Gaikwad came under Opposition fire as the matter was raised in the Legislative Council amid calls for his suspension.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Gaikwad’s behaviour had tarnished the image of the legislature, adding that the Assembly speaker and Legislative Council chairman should decide on action against him.
Saying that elected representatives should behave “responsibly”, Gaikwad’s party leader and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said he had reprimanded the MLA.
In a purported video clip of the incident, Gaikwad, wearing a towel and a vest, is seen confronting the canteen staff over what he claimed was sour dal and spoiled rice. He then repeatedly assaults a canteen employee and tells others not to pay their bills. His supporters, too, are seen assaulting the canteen workers.
The FDA conducted an inspection at the canteen and collected food samples. “The team collected samples of food like paneer, sauces and dal. These will be sent to the laboratory; the reports are expected in 14 days,” an FDA official said.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Gaikwad claimed that he was served stale food in his room. He said he had complained about the quality of food earlier, but no action was taken. “If such food is being served to an MLA, imagine what the common man must be getting,” the MLA who represents Buldhana Assembly constituency said.
“I have no regrets over what I did. I am a public representative… when someone fails to understand democratic language, then I have to use this language. I had complained to the authorities on several occasions. I don’t regret it and I will repeat it if needed,” he said.
“I had complained about the poor quality of food two or three times. This time, the food was absolutely unacceptable… completely spoiled. I will raise this issue in the ongoing legislative session,” he said. Gaikwad also met Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar to complain about the quality of food.
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