CAPD dept fixes food rates in dhabas

In a bid to tighten noose around the dhabas which continue to fleece customers by charging exorbitant rates for food items, the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department, Jammu, has revised and fixed the sale rate of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The dhaba owners have also been instructed to display the rate list of food items at their business establishments within the municipal limits.
Sources said the rates were fixed by the department after reports poured in about alleged fleecing of customers by dhaba owners by charging rates at their will.
They added that the new rates were fixed by the price consultative committee under the chairmanship of CAPD Director in consultation with representatives of consumer organisations during a recently held meeting. Under this, there would be uniformity of rates of cooked food at all dhabas.
“The rates were also fixed earlier and now again. But it is also important that such initiatives be taken at regular junctures so that if any dhaba owner gets involved in fleecing of customers he should be heavily penalised,” said Ashwani Sharma, a dhaba owner at the Jammu Bus Stand.
RS Jamwal, Joint Commissioner (Administration), JMC, said MC teams would inspect dhabas for ensuring quality as per the specifications under the provisions of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act-1954.
When asked about the steps being taken to check alleged fleecing of customers, especially the visitors from outside J&K, by dhaba owners both in Jammu city and outskirts, Jamwal said, “The JMC teams are inspecting various dhabas in the winter capital for sanitary/hygienic conditions and checking excessive charging from customers,” He, however, did not rule out the possibility of charging exorbitant rates by some dhaba owners.