‘Modernization of our laboratories is need of the hour’
Born to a family of peasants in Chogal Handwara, Dr. Shafakat Khan had always dreamt of being an officer in Public Health Sector. Dr. Khan is presently Health Officer Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC). In a candid interview to Rising Kashmir's Online Editor Daanish Bin Nabi, Dr. Khan talks about the recent expose wherein some food companies were involved in malpractices and issues related to mixing of chemical agents in daily food items. Excerpts:
·
We are accumulating 350
metric tons of garbage every day
·
We have started 124
sanitation clubs on payment basis
·
I admit that Desi
Bakery is one place where we need to do more
·
We also test dried foods
from time to time
·
It is your second term as Health Officer
SMC. How do you see this job?
Actually, I think Allah has sent me to this post again to finish
some unfinished business which I had left during my previous tenure. May be
there was something missing in me during my previous tenure I want to get rid
of all adulteration and mixing in the Srinagar city that’s why I think Allah
has again provided me with the opportunity to serve my people.
·
What prompted government to remove you from this
post last time?
It was not that government removed me. I had completed my tenure.
In other words I also wanted to move on and have experience at a different
stage. For any officer four years is good enough to prove his worth.
·
What is your biggest achievement as being Health
Officer?
It’s for the people to judge me and my achievements though there
are two issues to whom I contributed a lot. Firstly, let me say about Solid
Waste Management. We got people to understand that daily waste is a big issue
for the city. We were accumulating 350 metric tons of garbage every day. And I
must say people started to think about the safe decomposition of this waste.
For this purpose we started 124 sanitation clubs on payment basis. It has
generated 1crore 17 lakh as revenue till date. Against this revenue we have put Safai Karamchari in
various areas of Srinagar city. This is an achievement because people were not
ready to pay for garbage cleaning. As all know, how Kashmiris take everything
for granted. Second think which we did was about Bio-medical Waste Management
in the City hospitals. This initiative was taken up for the first time in
Kashmir. Government had to a pay hefty amount on diesel in Srinagar hospitals.
There were only three insinators in Srinagar city. These three insinators at SHMS, LD and CD hospitals, which were very old technologically
and do not work properly. Moreover, lot of expenses had to be incurred on
diesel. We proposed, under Solid Bio-Medical Waste Management rules of 2000, we
should have a common Bio-Medical Waste Facility. A private entrepreneur, who
had set up a plant in Lassipora Pulwama started collecting garbage at Rs 2.50.
The entrepreneur became saviour for both the government and people and at very
cheap price as well for the government. This firm collected all the segregated
waste and processed it at the plant. So in this way revenue was generated and
environment degradation was also kept in control. I can say this was also an
achievement in Bio-Medical way which happened in 2009.
·
Why SMC booked Kashmir’s leading firms such as
Kanwal and Khyber brands under FSSAI Act.
Let me be very candid and open in answering this question.
Actually, it had all started in 2013; we used to have routine checking at
every firm. My predecessor till September 2013 had tested around 62 samples of
various types of spices. When I took charge in September what I did was that,
we had a host of big houses which we checked like BMC, CATCH, Pakistani Spices
(LoC Trade) Rehmat, Kanwal every company was checked in very minuscule way. The
inspection of all these firms was a routine checkup. After getting the first
report, somehow I was not satisfied with all these tests. I started to doubt
that something somewhere is wrong. I proposed that we should send these samples
to the Kolkata Central Laboratory. I must admit our laboratories in Kashmir
were not up to the mark in testing all these spices. We sent five samples of
Kanwal, Jumbo, P-Mark Oil, Lose Spices and Carbonated water (soft drinks) to
Kolkata. To my utter surprise the reports which we received from Kolkata
Central Lab were total opposite to what we had received here from Kashmir
Laboratories. This also had happened during the tenure of my predecessor; one
of the samples of mixed vegetable was taken by a public analyst who was shown
as unsafe for the consumption at a local restaurant. The same sample was sent
to Kolkata Central Laboratory and the test came as normal and safe for the
consumption. With large controversies on food items it was logically good for
someone to counter check the authenticity of the report. So, when the report
came some were reported as miss -branded while others were reported as sub
substandard. The only one which was unsafe for human consumption was the Kanwal
Spice. Kanwal Saunf Powder of a particular batch number and manufacturing date was
reported as unsafe for human consumption. As a designated food officer under
FSSAI Act, it was my obligatory duty under law to issue an emergency
prohibition notice for the safety of the public till proved otherwise. One more
thing I would like to add under FSSAI Act, Central Food Lab Kolkata is the
final Lab for SMC on which we put our faith. And as soon as, prohibitions
orders for Kanwal products were issued from my office, on very next day Budgam
designated officer also issued a prohibition notice for Khyber milk and on
third day Islamabad designated officer issued prohibition notice for A1 spices.
When the Pandora's Box opened, it became a big issue and debate about these
companies started in public domain and whether knowingly or unknowingly these
companies knew about the happenings of the fact that they were using the
coloring agents which are highly prohibited. Kanwal spices were using coloring
agents in spices and were using cheap synthetic color containing carmozine,
tatrazine and sunset yellow. Higher quantities of these can be detrimental for
health. Central Food Lab Kolkata had written to us that it was unsafe for the
consumption and we made the report and other things public. In same way Budgam
designated officer had sent the sample for Khyber milk which allegedly was
containing detergent and detergent is also detrimental to health. The honorable
high court took cognizance of the matter in a PIL namely Sheikh Ayoub versus State and Others. They
slapped an immediate fine on them and asked director SKIMS to give a report
about these detergents and coloring agents and about which level they are
unsafe and harmful. Director SKIMS in his report said from very minor symptoms
to ailment and triggering of cancer process is because of these low cheap
synthetic colors.
·
Did you face any political pressure after
exposing Kanwal?
No. Not at all. The entire government functionary supported me. It
was a very important public health cause. The only thing is the Kanwal Company
came and harassed me and my staff from time to time. Kanwal’s legal advisor
came with all choicest and un-parliamentary language and abused me in my
office. I dealt with all this in a proper lawful way and lodged an FIR in
Shaheedgunj Police Station against their legal advisor. They started with
volley of letters. They even initiated an RTI in Secretariat against me as
well.
·
How much do you think is local laboratory
equipped to test food products in Kashmir?
I am totally not satisfied with the local laboratory outcome results.
We need to develop them more. Modernization of our laboratories is need
of the hour. We have raised this issue with the government to uplift the
laboratories of Kashmir. I can say our laboratories are only satisfactory.
·
SMC recently found coloring chemicals
particularly Tatrizine being used by vendors around Hazratbal area. What steps
have you taken to stop the usage of chemical products?
We have issued a prohibition order for the sale of such coloring
chemicals in Srinagar city and wherever we find these chemicals we confiscate
them. Some days ago we have confiscated 8 to 10 boxes of these chemicals in
various food establishments.
·
Khyber and Kanwal alleged that you have
blackmailed them and asked for money. Is it true?
For God sake, I did nothing for money. My salary under 6th pay commission is enough for me and my family to live a good happy
and healthily life. I am thankful to government that they have provided good
salary to officer and I think government officers need not to go for
corruption. To cover my all needs my salary is sufficient.
·
We have reports that some of the lesser known
milk brands, whose owners enjoy political patronage, go unchecked. What is the
reason?
I completely disagree with all this. Neither I am here to malign
anybody nor here to support anyone. We have reports of each and everything in
full detail and I assure you that there is no favoritism whatsoever anywhere in
Srinagar market. We have checked all the brands of milk whether small or bigger
ones. We even check street vendors selling milk. We take samples from them
every now and then. If I compromise on the quality of food stuff I think I will
cease to be a human that day.
·
Is there any Pakistani brand in Srinagar city
which is unsafe for human consumption?
Yes, of course. Shaan
Kabab Masala is unsafe
for human consumption. Mould was present in it and it only develops when there
is excess moisture present in it. This brand was also found to be sub standard.
·
It is learnt that some milk brands have been
supplying their products to army in city and other districts headquarters. What
steps have you taken in this case?
See it is for the army authorities to answer. In 2012, army wrote
to us that they also need checking and testing of products in that area for the
city as local population is also residing there. Army also wants us to take
samples so that they can also have pure food item as well.
·
Substandard yeast is being used in local bakery
shops. There is also an issue of cleanliness in such shops. Have you done
anything on this?
It is a very important issue. Let me say that they are not
technically qualified for Desi
Bakery job These Desi bakeries have
mushroomed in every corner of the city and most of people working in these
shops have come from villages that do not have a job and open the Desi Bakery. We have been inspecting them and also trying
to get quality in these Desi
Bakeries but I
surely feel that more needs to be done. I admit that Desi Bakery is one
place where we need to do more.
·
Do you think food served in city hotels is of
quality standards? Do you keep check on them?
Some of the hotels are complying with the norms. There are some
hotels and restaurants where we have served notices. When I took charge we did
a food safety audit and we inspected kitchens of the hotels. We gave certain
hotels the audit certificate that audit has been conducted and they are
complying with the norms but there are few where we gave correction notices.
They have re-developed their kitchens and other places as well. Some examples
of this being Treat restaurant in Sanat Nagar we have given it time till March
to replace its kitchen.
·
What do you think of local dried foods of
Kashmir? Do you test them? Are they healthy to eat or not?
We are also testing dried foods from time to time. Just to give an
example we had received complaints regarding small fish Faree(Kashmiri Fish). We
destroyed Faree in Safa Kadal.
·
What step you have taken for tourists
complaining of unhygienic food being served to them?
Absolutely right. I also see a level of hygienic issues. I think
in some places the hygiene levels have been compromised. The food handlers and
food servers unfortunately do not maintain good hygiene. As per our laws they
have to be healthy and hygienic like they should have small nails and short
hair. My next step will be a scissor in my hands if this doesn’t happen.
Whenever I enter any food premises the first thing I check is the hygiene of
fellows working in there. Then second issue is of sanitation so that rodents,
rats, cockroaches and flies are not present. But unfortunately the dismay is
that in a few places I saw rodent droppings and cockroaches. We from time to
time fined them and in many cases confiscated their belongings. Hygiene of the
food handlers and waiters is the primary issue for me to handle.
·
We have learnt that you want to see Srinagar as
best Food City?
It is my dream to see Srinagar as the best Food City. We are
working hard for it. It will all begin with good sanitation. We will have
cleanliness in our restaurants. Then we will focus on the quality of food and
then on etiquettes of our waiters and food servers. Waiters lack etiquettes big
time. We are trying to have regular session of training for our waiters. I have
already approached the Principal of Indian Institute of Hotel Management and he
has assured me that we will do a joint session in batches to train our waiters
and food handlers.
·
Jammu has planned a proper food city. Why don’t
we in Kashmir have such a designated area?
I am only here for food quality monitoring and not for planning.
·
What kind of hurdles you face while dealings
with local shopkeepers and do you destroy the food items which are not good for
human consumption?
General unrest in the valley from past 20 years has changed the
mindset of the people in the valley. The mind set of various areas and city is
quite different. When we generally approach a shop in a normal city area it
goes quite well and we try to make him understand that we are on city
inspection and in most of cases they are supportive. But the real problem is
other areas were people do not like government machinery to function.
Though we are tackling these areas with carrot and stick policy. And yes
of course we do destroy the food stuff which seems to be unsafe for human
consumption.
·
But you went to Kashmir University cafeteria and
did not destroy the food items there as you do with local shopkeepers. Why
different yard stick?
The fact of the matter is we confiscated the entire utensil and
spices which were harmful for human consumption. Beef was also
confiscated from the cafeteria.
·
Do you think SMC should ban Junk food?
Junk food should be avoided at all costs. We cannot ban it.
Majority of the junk food is consumed by the children. What we can do is we can
aware children through mass media. I am trying my best to aware people through
media and other sources which are available to me. We have to shift to
organic foods. People should work on their kitchen garden and do farming
themselves so that it becomes an alternative to the junk food. It is a step
towards nation building. People should be self sufficient and this is a best
way to spread awareness among the children at the very grass root level.
