K'pong civic body raids eateries

SNS, KALIMPONG, 5 NOVEMBER 2018:  Kalimpong Municipality today raided sweet shops, tea stalls, restaurants and hotels and asked owners to maintain kitchen hygiene and overall cleanliness of their premises.

A team led by the chairman of the municipality, Rabi Pradhan and vice-chairman and Ward councilors also seized plastic bags from various shops as they had previously warned the shops and the public against using plastics.

There have often been allegations that sweets prepared during festivals are usually stale, while it is said that shop owners also tend to "re-work" on the old sweets to keep the circulation going.

"The team also inspected and discarded sweets and milk that were stored inappropriately," municipality officials said.

Meanwhile, the municipality has decided to work on the town's beautification project. Since the present board was formed, several street lamps on the main roads have been installed, the officials added.

However, some shops are still displaying their wares on the footpath.

"This has been a problem for pedestrians for the past many years. The Chairman Rabi Pradhan today visited the shops and threw the cartons on display on the pavement on the main road," sources said.

Talking to reporters, Mr Pradhan said: "We will make another visit after Diwali, and if we find any shop extending their items on the foot-path, we will seize them all."

The municipality officials have also asked the butchers to refrigerate the meat, while they often sell it in the open air.