Srinagar, Oct 23: The Committee on Petitions of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Friday directed the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Srinagar, to verify revenue records and examine the ground situation regarding alleged encroachment of land at Khimber in Tehsil Hazratbal, Srinagar.
The direction was issued during a meeting of the committee held at the Legislative Assembly Secretariat in Srinagar under the chairmanship of Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah.
Taking up Petition No. 2 concerning the alleged encroachment, the committee asked the ADC Srinagar to conduct a detailed verification of the relevant revenue records, assess the ground situation and submit a comprehensive report on the matter.
The committee stressed the need to safeguard both government and private land, directing that appropriate action be taken in accordance with the law after due verification of the facts.
The meeting also reviewed issues related to the adulteration of essential food commodities across Jammu and Kashmir, with the chairman calling for stricter enforcement of food safety regulations and stronger measures to protect public health.
Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah described food adulteration as a serious public health concern directly affecting the daily lives of citizens. He directed the concerned department to adopt a zero-tolerance approach, intensify inspections, ensure timely testing of food samples and fill vacant posts to strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
He also called for strengthening food testing laboratories, expediting the disposal of cases before Adjudicating Authorities and intensifying Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities under Mission Safe Food.
Emphasising the need for improved testing infrastructure, the chairman stressed the establishment of state-of-the-art food testing laboratories in both the Jammu and Kashmir regions to ensure effective enforcement and timely analysis of food samples.
Commissioner, Food and Drugs Authority J&K, Khalid Jahangir, presented a comprehensive status report covering the organisation’s structure and staff strength, updated Action Taken Reports on committee recommendations and directions issued on August 3, 2026, IEC activities and key enforcement measures undertaken in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) mandate.
According to the report, the department conducted 11,720 inspections during 2026–27 up to October, while 6,259 enforcement samples and 2,508 surveillance samples were lifted. A total of 5,179 samples were also tested through Mobile Food Testing Vehicles (MFTVs) during the period.
The committee was further informed that special enforcement drives were conducted from April to October 2026, covering fresh vegetables, packaged drinking water, nutraceuticals, edible oils and fats, ghee, honey, milk and milk products, spices, caffeinated drinks, meat products, bakery items and prepared food.
The meeting was attended by legislators Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Javaid Riyaz (Bedar) and Dr. Sajjad Shafi, along with the Joint Commissioner, Food Safety; ADC Srinagar; SDM Chadoora; Food Safety Officers; the State Nodal Officer, FDA; and officers of the Assembly Secretariat.
