Poultry and meat markets: Punjab government won't tolerate unhygienic, poor conditions: minister

Punjab Food Minister Bilal Yasin has said that the food department will ensure good cleanliness situation in all poultry and meat markets across the province. Shopkeepers will be provided awareness on food safety and those who are selling substandard, unhygienic and dead meat will be sent behind the bars. He said the Punjab government will not tolerate unhygienic and poor cleanliness condition in poultry and meat selling points.
He said that by providing awareness and appreciating the people, food department is achieving satisfactory results. The Punjab Food Authority is not only sealing and imposing fine to the shopkeepers but also awarding certificates and incentives to those who cooperate with the government in its cleanliness programme. Bilal Yasin expressed these views while addressing a "Muqabla-e-Safai" ceremony at Tollinton Market, here yesterday. Bilal Yasin said that objective of Food Authority is aimed to ensure availability of good and hygienic diet to the common man. He said that those factors playing with the lives and health of the people will be dealt with iron hands. He appreciated the efforts of Food Authority team for achieving good results.
The Minister said that Tollinton Market is considered one of the dirtiest markets in Lahore but with the efforts of Food Authority it has been converted into a dirt-free market by introducing competitions among the shopkeepers.
While addressing the ceremony, DG Food Authority Noor-ul-Amin Mengal said the department is getting good results by involving shopkeepers and Poultry Associations in this cleanliness activity. He said that appreciation and awareness could perform better than punishment. He said that we would award Rs 50,000 cash prize each to five shopkeepers for showing better cleanliness at their premises. He said that food authority will also establish its office in Tollinton Market for continuation of this exercise. Mengal said that every month, Food Department will announce 'Shop of the Month' for appreciation of shopkeepers. He said that we will implement this model not only in Lahore but also in other districts. At the end, Minister Food Bilal Yasin distributed cash awards among shopkeepers and appreciated the performance of Food Safety Officer Tahira by rewarding her with Rs 25000 cash prize.
Earlier, the minister along with the DG Food Authority also visited various shops of Tollinton Market to examine the cleanliness situation. President Poultry Association, President Paper Mill Association, Local trader community and officers from Food Authority were also present on the occasion.