Now food items served in Parliament to be checked for adulteration

Following reports of fruits and vegetables injected with chemicals being sold in markets, the government has directed concerned officials to carry out a check on the food items being served inside Parliament.

"The government yesterday passed an order that whatever food is being served in Parliament, their samples would be taken and checked on regular basis by food inspectors so that Parliamentarians don't get adulterated food," Congress MP Rajiv Shukla told reporters in New Delhi.

He said the government has also agreed on his proposal to increase punishment that can be awarded to people indulging in such malpractices from six month jail term and Rs 1,000 fine to life imprisonment and Rs 10 lakh fine.

Asked if the government would come out with a legislation on the matter, he said a go ahead has been given and the health ministry will soon issue an administrative order in this regard.

On measures taken to check adulteration in food items of common citizens, Shukla said, "we have asked to increase the number of laboratories for checking food samples and it is also the duty of citizens to get their food items checked for adulteration."