Gangtok, February 6: A joint inspection team led by Sisum Wangchuk Bhutia, Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Gangtok, on Thursday carried out inspections of commercial establishments in various parts of the Development Area as part of the district’s ongoing weekly inspection drive.
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| Officials and police personnel conduct a joint inspection of a local shop in Gangtok’s Development Area as part of a weekly drive to check food safety, hygiene and regulatory compliance. (Image: DIO Gangtok) |
The team included Mingyur Tempo Nadik, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Gangtok, Mahendra Chettri, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Gangtok, along with officers from allied departments.
During the inspection, hotels, restaurants and shops were checked with a primary focus on food safety and compliance with guidelines of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Officials examined hygiene practices, sanitation standards and safe food handling procedures to ensure consumer health and safety.
The team also reviewed compliance with provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. Business owners and staff were sensitised about the mandatory display of “No Smoking” signage, restrictions on the sale of tobacco products to minors, and the need to maintain smoke-free premises. Officials stressed strict adherence to COTPA norms in all public and commercial spaces.
Vendors and business owners were urged to prioritise consumer welfare by maintaining high standards of hygiene, ensuring goods sold are within expiry dates, and strictly complying with trade licence conditions and food safety regulations. Parameters such as valid licence display, adherence to prescribed price rates, expiry dates of consumables, availability of labour certificates and other statutory requirements were thoroughly verified.
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Establishments found non-compliant were issued necessary directions and asked to rectify shortcomings within a stipulated timeframe.
The inspection was conducted in coordination with the Food Safety Cell of the Health and Family Welfare Department, the State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC), the Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Sikkim Police, the Excise Department, the Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan Welfare Department, and the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA).
Officials said follow-up inspections will be carried out across different locations in Gangtok district, and strict action will be taken against defaulters as per relevant Acts and rules.
