Sale of cut fruits on despite ban by Archit Watts
Chandigarh, February 27Despite the ban on sale of cut fruits in the city, sale of this is a common sight here. Shockingly, these fruits are being sold near the district court complex and deputy commissioner’s office.
A visit to the major parts of the city revealed the sellers were freely violating the rule by selling cut fruits like papaya, apple and mix-fruit chat.
According to a senior official of the Municipal Corporation, the medical officers and food inspectors were empowered to check the sale of these fruits and were authorised to get the same destroyed.
According to health experts, uncovered cut fruit can cause diseases like gastric infections, cholera, jaundice and diarrhoea, especially among the children.
Savita, a housewife said her little son was affected with gastric infections by eating cut papaya from the market. “I advise the public to avoid eating these fruits, otherwise, they have to suffer,” she added.
A shopkeeper at Sector 17 plaza said the vendors did their business mainly at noon and in evening, when the employees went back to home.
Under the Epidemic Diseases Act, the sale of cut fruit is banned unless when exposed for sale of them are properly protected by wire gauge and glass against contamination of dust and flies.
UT additional deputy commissioner IS Sandhu said, “The matter comes under the MOH wing of the MC and they have to take appropriate action against the violators.”
Medical officer, health department, MC, Dr Dewan, pretended to be busy on one pretext or other for last four days to give his comments.

Published in Chandigarh Tribune on February 28, 2009