‘TG to establish special mechanism to check food adulteration’

Metro India News | Hyderabad

Telangana Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha on Monday said that the state government will establish a special mechanism to check food adulteration and take tough measures against those involved in it. The proposed measures include invoking the provisions of the Preventive Detention Act, he said, speaking after flagging off a food safety awareness walkathon here.

Observing that the state government has set up EAGLE Force (Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement) to check the menace of drugs, he said Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has resolved that a special unit be formed to check food contamination.The government has appointed 24 new food inspectors and introduced five new mobile testing vehicles, the minister said.

The government has decided to establish three new regional food testing laboratories at Nizamabad, Mahabubngar and Hanumakonda, he added. Asserting that the government has been conducting enforcement drive and joint checks by police and food safety officials, he said about 11,000 such checks have been conducted during the last two years.

The health minister said unhealthy eating habits among people lead to a rise in non-communicable diseases in Telangana, including Hyderabad. Consumption of spurious food is causing health issues related to digestion and others, he added.

Rajanarasimha also said rapid urbanisation and busy lifestyle has led to a decline in cooking food at home.

Following the expansion of the food industry, there are about 1.41 lakh establishments in the state involved in food business. The government encourages food industry as it provides jobs, but expects its "growth with responsibility", he said.

Minister walks, works out, and wins over Indira park-goers

The Minister for Health and Medical Services, Damodar Rajanarsimha, visited Indira Park in Hyderabad on Monday to engage in morning walking and exercise at the open gym, inspiring regular park-goers.

The minister began his walk at Ganesh Temple inside the park, after participating in a food safety awareness walkathon on Necklace Road. He completed a five-kilometre walk and later exercised alongside walkers at the open gym, blending in as a regular visitor. Park-goers were pleasantly surprised and took selfies and photos with him.

Indira Park, one of Asia’s second-largest parks with nearly 9,000 registered members, drew the minister’s attention for further development. He instructed officials to enhance greenery, maintain the park’s aesthetics, and address visitor concerns.

GHMC officials, including Zonal Commissioner Mangatayaru, Deputy Director Chandrashekhar, and horticulture supervisors Mounika and Vishal, briefed the minister on ongoing projects. Rajanarsimha also directed that modern equipment be made available at the open gym and emphasized making exercise a part of daily life for walkers. The minister was accompanied by PCC Doctors’ Cell Chairman Sudhakar Yadav and members of the Indira Park Walkers Association.