‘PFA to be extended to every district’

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to extend Punjab Food Authority (PFA) to every district of Punjab from August 14, 2017. 

A notification issued in this regard said in exercise of the powers conferred under subsection (3) of section 1 of the Punjab Food Authority Act 2011 (XVI of 2011), Punjab governor is pleased to specify August 14, 2017 as the date on which the said Act shall come into force in the whole of Province of Punjab except districts of Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Multan where the Act is already in force.

Noorul Amin Mengal, PFA DG, while talking to The News said the department has taken all necessary arrangements in this regard and hiring of staff is already under process. He said the PFA will ensure hygienic and safe food to the citizens of Punjab and no leniency will be shown to adulterators.

Giving details of the performance of PFA from November 2016 to June 2017, he said during the period, PFA sealed 1,556 premises in five districts. This included sealing of 614 premises in Lahore, 358 in Gujranwala, 115 in Multan, 283 in Faisalabad and 186 in Rawalpindi.

Mengal said no tolerance was shown to adulterators and huge fines were imposed on violators of food laws. He maintained that a fine of Rs 29475,100 was imposed in Lahore, Rs 7770,000 in Gujranwala, Rs 4224,500 in Multan, Rs 5148,000 in Faisalabad and Rs 6253,800 in Rawalpindi.

Improvement notices were given to 9,344 in Lahore, 10,809 in Gujranwala, 8,174 in Multan, 13,762 in Faisalabad and 6,118 in Rawalpindi while 15,757 inspections were made in Lahore, 12,876 in Gujranwala, 11,292 in Multan, 14972 in Faisalabad and 9,981 in Rawalpindi.