Eatery in Hyderabad’s Inorbit Mall raises a stink, fined for unhygienic kitchen, unstamped meat

'Village - The Soul of India' was raided by GHMC and fined Rs 15,500 for violating norms

news Food safety

A restaurant in Hyderabad's posh Inorbit Mall was raided on Tuesday by a team of veterinary and medical officers from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

According to GHMC officials, the restaurant, Village the Soul of India, was found to have an unhygienic kitchen and was also found to be selling 'unstamped' meat. A fine of Rs15,500 was imposed on the management.

The raid was carried out by GHMC Deputy Commissioner Mamtha V, veterinary officer Dr Ranjeeth, an Assistant Medical and Health Officer (AMHO) of GHMC, and Dr Abdul Wakil, the Assistant Veterinary Director of the GHMC.

Speaking to TNM, Dr Abdul said, "We found that the restaurant was not using stamped meat, along with many other issues. We have served notices under Sections 548, 596 and 487 of the GHMC Act, and a penalty of Rs 15,520 was also imposed."

The GHMC has asked outlets to only use 'stamped' meat, which come from slaughterhouses that are issued permission and monitored by the municipal body, in accordance with norms and rules, to ensure the meat is safe for consumption.

However, since this meat is costly, eateries make their purchases from local butchers, thereby putting public health at risk.

"Additionally, the restaurant was not producing a valid trade licence, and was being dodgy. Therefore, we have also fined them for that," Dr Abdul said.

"Apart from that, the kitchen was unhygienic and the garbage was not being segregated. The people serving the food must have a medical certificate to show that they are free from communicable diseases. Even that was not available with them," he added.

The restaurant was warned, and asked to submit all the relevant documents. The GHMC plans to inspect it again in a few days.

This is not the first such incident this year, where a posh outlet was fined in Hyderabad.

In April this year, the GHMC slapped a fine of Rs 30,000 on the Novotel hotel in Madhapur after alleged violations related to the procuring and storing of meat.

The same month, the GHMC imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on a 'Best Price' Walmart outlet in the city that was selling 'unstamped' meat.

Outlets in Forum Mall and Manjeera Mall in Kukatpally were also penalised in the past.