Telangana: Following plea, hotel crackdowns eased
The GHMC raided 69 hotels in nine months and 54 hotels have been fined.
Hyderabad: Raids by the GHMC health wing on hotels, restaurants and eateries have slowed down following a plea by the TS Hotels’ Association.
The raids had unearthed pests in kitchen, stale meat, sanitation violations and other unhealthy practices even in major hotels. The e-challan system, introduced by the GHMC, was a peanut as hoteliers could get away with the fine by paying mere Rs 1,000. Though a complaint has been registered against Ulavacharu hotel no action has been initiated.
Between March and April, the GHMC went on an inspection spree in the twin cities, targeting food joints. Fines, ranging between Rs 5,000 and Rs 50,000, were slapped on many hoteliers for violating the trade licence and other unhygienic practices.
Haveli Bar and Restaurant in Begumpet was found guilty of food adulteration (using colour in biryani ) and other unhygienic practices. However, the hotel manager tried to fabricate the samples’ report. Later, the TS anti-corruption bureau caught N. Ravindra, SFL chief public analyst, and four other food inspectors while accepting a bribe of Rs 1.25 lakh to change the report on the chicken biryani seized from Haveli Bar and Restaurant. After major hotels came under the radar, the TS Hotels’ Association met the GHMC authorities to sort out the issue. The GHMC, however, ruled out the pressure from the hotel managements for slowing down the inspections. A senior officer from the health and sanitation wing said, “GHMC has not fallen to their plea. Many raids were conducted after the meeting. Inspections have been reduced due to staff shortage.
Mr N. Ravi Kiran, additional commissioner, health and sanitation, said, “Complaints against hotels can be registered online or with the concerned circle officer. The e-challan system is also transparent.”