Concerned over poor quality control and unhealthy kitchen conditions, Chennai Mayor Saidai Duraisamy, has instructed the corporation authorities to close the canteen being operated inside the Ripon Building campus down.
The move by the Mayor has, in fact, surprised several corporation staff as the canteen has been in operation for several years.
“Following the Mayor’s inspection and instruction, the canteen was closed this morning”, confirmed a health official attached to the city corporation.
The Mayor was shocked to see the pathetic condition in which the food was prepared in a canteen run by Chennai Corporation co-operatives’ society, he pulled up the managers and also the local food inspectors for the sorry state of affairs. The corporation had given them a free hand in running the canteen and they also enjoyed many privileges from the civic body.
The canteen in return has to provide quality food at subsidised rates, the official explained
When contacted, Chennai Mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy said that the canteen located inside the Ripon Buildings should set an example in quality and hygiene, but the situation is pathetic.
Further the canteen should offer food at subsidised rates, but the pricing is high, hence the canteen has to be closed.
To a query on the future of the canteen, the Mayor said that the canteen building will be renovated and then operated to perform in a hygienic manner.
According to corporation sources, on a daily basis, at least 300 to 600 people eat at the corporation canteen located adjacent to the corporation health department.