SDMC proposes ban on display of non- veg food

◗ The Indian Medical Association flagged objection to SDMC’s proposal and said the move was not rational and if hygiene was the concern why keep vegetarian food out of the order

New Delhi, Dec. 27: Scrumptious seekh kebabs on skewers and juicy chicken tikkas put up outside food stalls to draw customers may soon have to be relegated to inside shelves, as the civic body in south Delhi has proposed that they cannot be displayed in the open.

The proposal was brought in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation ( SDMC) in its last House, which approved it, Leader of House Shikha Rai said, adding that hygiene and “sentiments of people affected by the sight” of meat were the main reasons behind the move.

“It was a private member resolution originally moved by a councillor from Kakrola village in Najafgarh Zone in the Health Committee meeting. The committee then moved it to the SDMC House, which then approved it,” a spokesperson of the SDMC said.

“The proposal would now be sent to the Commissioner to be examined, if it in accordance with the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act,” he said.

South Delhi is home to many eateries and restaurants selling meat products in places such as Hauz Khas, New Friends’ Colony, Kamal Cinema in Safdarjung Green Park, Amar Colony Market near Lajpat Nagar.

The Indian Medical Association flagged objection to SDMC’s proposal and said the move was not rational and if hygiene was the concern why keep vegetarian food out of the order.

IMA president Dr K. K. Aggarwal said if contamination of food was the reason behind the decision, saying the move was not justified as vegetarian food and snacks which are sold at kiosks and carts by vendors on the street are equally at risk of getting contaminated.

“We do not find any rational behind the move that prohibits display of only non- vegetarian food outside shops, restaurants. If contamination of food is the concern then why keep out vegetarian food and snacks out of this order,” Dr Aggarwal said.

“Vegetarian food and snacks like veg rolls, alootikki, golgappe which are sold at kiosks and thelas by vendors on the street are equally at risk of getting contaminated,” he said.