Kiren Rijiju says Ladakh will get special provisions under Article 371 soon

Srinagar: Lieutenant governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena has ordered a strict crackdown on food safety violations across the union territory, warning nearly 8,800 food business operators of stringent action, including penalties of up to Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment in serious cases.

“Zero tolerance against food safety violations is now the new standard in Ladakh. Have ordered a strict enforcement of food safety norms across Ladakh, ensuring that Food Business Operators, including restaurants, hotels and eateries refrain from any food safety violation that puts the public health at risk,” said Saxena. He said that a clear warning is being issued to all 8,800 FBOs to strictly comply with the Food Safety and Standards, and manufacturing, storing or selling any food item that is unsafe, sub-standard, misbranded, adulterated, or expired, will be met with an iron hand.

“Violators will face severe penalties, including fines ranging from Rs 1 lakh to up to Rs10 lakh and imprisonment for serious offenses. Our enforcement will be fair and transparent, but there will be absolutely no compromise on larger public health. All stakeholders must ensure that the food served in Ladakh is safe, wholesome, and hygienic,” said Saxena. The officials informed that Ladakh has 428 FSSAI licence holders and 8,355 FSSAI registration holders.


The Food Safety Department has been instructed to intensify inspections, sampling and analysis of food, and undertake seizure or detention of food articles, prohibition on sale or distribution of unsafe food and suspension or cancellation of licences wherever legally warranted.

According to the officials under the prescribed penalties, selling food not conforming to the nature, substance or quality demanded can attract a penalty of up to Rs 5 lakh, while sub-standard food can invite a penalty of up to Rs 5 lakh. Similarly, interfering with seized food or items can invite imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh, while obstructing, impersonating, threatening or assaulting a Food Safety Officer can attract imprisonment of up to three months and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh. Carrying out a food business without the required licence can attract a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh.

Meanwhile, union minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who was in Leh on Friday said that Ladakh is very close to the heart of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the region will soon get special provisions under Art 371 as an exceptional case.

“Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Home Affairs is working towards providing special provisions for the UT of Ladakh. Only because of PM Modi's affinity for the region that such provisions are being considered for the region…these provisions will materialize soon and the people of Ladakh will be able to take benefit from them,” said Rijiju, while speaking at the Silver jubilee founder’s day function of the Druk Padma Karpo School at Shey in Leh. The minister said that the PM has been wanting for a long time to visit the region and share his thoughts with the people and this desire may also see the light of day soon.