Bengaluru East City Corporation Orders 7-Day Inspection Drive at PGs, Hotels, Restaurants and Hostels
Bengaluru, August 16: Bengaluru East City Corporation Commissioner D.S. Ramesh has ordered inspection drives at paying guest accommodations, hotels, restaurants, hostels, dhabas and other food preparation and service establishments, directing officials to take strict action against violations of building, licensing, safety, hygiene and food-safety norms.
The Commissioner directed officials to inspect operational PG accommodations in and around Gear School Road, the New Horizon College area and Thubarahalli, citing directions of the Karnataka High Court and complaints received from the public.
A joint team comprising the Deputy Director of Town Planning, Executive Engineers, Health Officers and Assistant Executive Engineers for Solid Waste Management has been constituted for the PG inspections. Each property is to be inspected individually, violations documented and action initiated under applicable rules.
Officials have been asked to compare sanctioned building plans and construction permissions with the structures on the ground. The inspections will cover setback violations, unauthorised construction, additional floors and the use of buildings for commercial or residential purposes contrary to their approved use.
The teams will also verify whether PG establishments possess valid trade licences and other permissions required for their operations.
Building and fire safety will be another focus area. Officials have been directed to examine the structural condition of buildings, the availability and adequacy of fire-safety systems and arrangements for emergencies, keeping the safety of PG and hostel residents in view.
The inspection will cover cleanliness and hygiene, toilet maintenance, drinking-water availability, water-supply systems, drainage and wastewater disposal. Officials will also verify whether solid waste is segregated at source, properly stored and disposed of in accordance with prescribed rules.
Possible encroachments on roads, footpaths, drains and other public property linked to the construction or operation of PG establishments will also be checked.
The joint team has been instructed to document violations property-wise and maintain geo-tagged photographs wherever necessary. Serious violations are to be acted upon immediately. The entire exercise must be completed within seven days, followed by a comprehensive report detailing each property, violations detected and action taken or proposed.
Ramesh has separately ordered strict inspections of hotels, dhabas, restaurants and other food preparation and service establishments following recent state-level enforcement drives in which expired food products, poor hygiene and food-safety violations were reportedly detected.
Health officials and staff have been directed to conduct inspections in accordance with Food Safety and Drug Administration Department guidelines and verify compliance with food safety and quality standards.
Officials will check expiry dates and the quality and safety of food products during storage and use. Legal action will be initiated under applicable rules if expired food is found being stored or used, or if inspections reveal risks of food contamination, poor hygiene, unsafe water or other food-safety violations, the Commissioner said.
The inspections will also examine cleanliness in food preparation areas, scientific storage of food products, personal hygiene of food-handling staff, pest-control measures and compliance with required temperature controls during storage and preparation.
Junior and Senior Health Inspectors and Health Officers at the ward level have been directed to carry out regular inspections and submit compliance reports to senior officials.
The Commissioner warned that officers or staff found negligent in inspection or enforcement duties would be held directly accountable and reports would be submitted for disciplinary action under the applicable service rules.
Ramesh said public safety, health and quality of life remained priorities for the Corporation and that enforcement would continue against violations of building regulations, licensing requirements, health and hygiene norms, solid waste management rules and food-safety standards.
The Corporation also appealed to PG accommodations, hostels, food establishments and other institutions within its jurisdiction to obtain all required licences and permissions and comply with regulations governing public safety, health and hygiene.
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