Dehradun, October 8, 2024: The central government has announced a significant initiative benefiting street vendors and hawkers ahead of the festive season. They will now receive food licenses at no charge, a move aimed at easing the financial burden on these small-scale vendors. The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has implemented this decision, as confirmed by FSDA Commissioner Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar.
Previously, street vendors were required to pay an annual fee for obtaining food licenses. However, the registration fee has been waived effective from September 28, 2024, and vendors can now apply for a license valid for five years without incurring any charges.
In light of the upcoming festive season, the FSDA has also launched an extensive checking campaign at state borders to combat the trafficking of adulterated food products. Dr. Kumar stated that under the guidance of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, the state is committed to a rigorous crackdown on food adulterators.
The campaign will involve collecting food samples across the state, and legal action will be taken against violators if any samples fail testing. Authorities have been instructed to conduct inspections in markets and public areas to ensure compliance.
According to Tajbar Singh Jaggi, the Additional Commissioner of the FSDA, inspections will cover vendors from street stalls to large malls. The focus will be on ensuring the availability of clean, unadulterated food products for consumers. The campaign will prioritize the testing of dairy products, oils, spices, flour, and sweets, with any found adulterated subject to strict legal action.
This initiative aims to ensure food safety and quality for all consumers while providing relief to the small vendors who are an essential part of the food supply chain during the festive season.
