73 people arrested during anti-adulteration drive in UP

Fifty-nine people have been arrested during a special drive launched across the state to check sale of adulterated food items during the festival season.

Fourteen more people have been arrested for allegedly dealing in spurious medicines, under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

"Raids were carried out at 371 places, 1,197 samples were collected and 59 people were arrested on charges of adulteration," principal secretary Food and Drug Control Department, Desh Deepak Varma said.

Over 1.18 lakh litres of adulterated mustard oil, 14,582 kg khoya, 4,065 kg ghee and 11,380 kg milk and milk products were seized during the raids, he said.

"Of this 37,425 litres of adulterated mustard oil was recovered in Lucknow itself," he said.

Varma said that a huge quantity of adulterated items were recovered at various bus stations across the state.

"The managing director of roadways corporation will be informed about the situation and requested to conduct an inquiry," he said.

The principal secretary added that 14 people have also been arrested under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, whereas seven offenders are absconding.

"Medicines worth over Rs30 lakh were seized in Rampur, Moradabad, Aligarh, Gorakhpur, Basti, Bulandshahr, Agra, Mirzapur, Bijnore and Faizabad districts," he said, adding that the drive will continue till October 24.