Chandigarh: Punjab has bagged the best performing state prize in ‘Swasth Bharat Yatra’, a pan India cyclothon cum healthy food awareness casmpaign, launched by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI.
Giving detail here, Health & Family Welfare Minister Punjab Mr. Brahm Mohindra said that Punjab has been adjudged as best state in the category of smaller states. Amritsar and Batala have been adjudged as best cities under the programme.
BrahmMohindra further said that ‘Swasth Bharat Yatra’ which was expanded to include the element of ‘Tandrust Punjab Mission’ in the State of Punjab was initiated from Gurdaspur on 2nd December 2018 after it entered Punjab from J&K. The state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wing of health department coordinated the activities of yatra in the state under Tandrust Punjab Mission, Mr. Brahm Mohindra further added.
He said that the 25 days Swasth Bharat-Tandrust Punjab Yatra has covered major districts aimed at spreading awareness about the theme of “Eat Right and Eat Safe Food”. Food business operators, NGOs, students and General public enthusiastically participated in the campaign to create awareness about eat safe and eat right. Special training sessions regarding safety, quality and hygiene was imparted to thousands of food business operators under this magnificent campaign, said Health Minister.
The award was received today at New Delhi by K S Pannu Commissioner FDA Punjab from Union Health Minister for State Ashwani Kumar Choubey.
Congratulating the state team comprising of officers and officials of FDA for working hard to achieve this honour, Health Minister stressed on the need to make concerted efforts to further propagate the message of healthy eating and healthy living.
Underscoring the initiatives taken by State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, he said that FDA wing of health department was conducting the regular sampling of milk and food items in all districts of State to ensure the availability of nutritious and healthy food for the citizens of State.
He lauded the the health department for keeping strict check on the adulteration of milk and other food items in the last 2 years after the inception of this Government. He warned that stern action would be taken against the all manufactures and sellers who violate the guidelines issued by the State Government.
