Surprise checks on shops and commercial establishments

EOI, DARJEELING, 23 MAY 2023 : A joint inspection was held today at different shops and commercial establishments at Darjeeling to check on various consumer related problems, the first after many years.

The raids were carried out by the state Government’s Consumer Affairs department along with other departments including Department of Food Safety, Darjeeling Municipality, Department of Consumer Affairs and Fair Business Practices, Drugs Control, Legal Metrology, Darjeeling Police and Darjeeling Chamber of Commerce. 

The Consumer Affairs and Fair Business Practices, Assistant Director Nilay Sarkar said, "We regularly conduct raids to ensure a better living by our citizens. This includes checking of things like hygiene in bakery and restaurants, if it is Chinese products then whether they were brought through proper channels, food licence, expiry dates along with GST number and MRP etc." 

"Many cases were also initiated today with most of them being unhygienic bakeries. Apart from that Chinese products are also taken from the market and it will be sent to a laboratory. If it is found that it does not meet standards, action will be taken according to rules and regulations," he said. 

The GST Charge Officer Saran Limbu said, "GST numbers should be provided by businesses that have an annual turnover of Rs 40 lakh and service providers have a turnover of Rs 20 lakh. We found some cases where GST has not been mentioned in the invoice.

"The Food Safety, Designated Officer, Popy Roy said, "One of the most important things that is needed by restaurants and other such organizations is food licence. There were cases found in which hygiene has not been maintained and expiry date not mentioned in bakery products.