The Devbhoomi Udyog Nagar Vyapar Mandal has questioned the proposed food-safety inspections in Almora during the upcoming festive season. Led by town president Sanjay Sah Rikkhu, a delegation submitted a memorandum to District Magistrate Anshul Singh on Tuesday.
The traders alleged that food-safety officials harass shopkeepers in the name of inspections during festivals. They said the practice has created fear among local businesses at a time when traders prepare special stocks for increased festive demand.
Traders’ concerns over festive stock
Town president Sanjay Sah Rikkhu and district president Manoj Singh Pawar said many traders borrow money from banks to purchase stock for the festive period. They argued that questioning the quality of sweets without firm evidence can damage businesses and create unnecessary uncertainty for shopkeepers.
The traders claimed that no case involving counterfeit khoya or paneer has so far emerged in Almora. They said misleading or poorly targeted action could harm local trade instead of addressing the actual supply chain behind adulterated products.
The memorandum called for a focused enforcement strategy. According to the traders, the department faces a shortage of equipment, so inspections should concentrate on Lodhiya barrier and the district borders, where products entering Almora can be checked.
Demand for action against main suppliers
The business organisation asked authorities to identify and act against the main offenders rather than troubling local retailers. Its demand was for stronger checks on incoming khoya and paneer, alongside fair treatment for traders operating within Almora.
Those named among the delegation included district general secretary (organisation) Nikesh Upadhyay, district vice-presidents Madan Rawat and Himanshu Bisht, district organisation secretary Hari Krishna Khatri, Neeraj Thapa Bittu, district joint general secretary Naman Gururani, Sudhir Gupta and district general secretary Himanshu Kandpal.
Lodhiya Vyapar Mandal president Puran Latwal, Manoj Latwal, Kishan Negi, Harish Joshi, Sanjay Bisht, Dheeraj Kholia and Govind Rawat were also listed among the traders who submitted the memorandum.
Conclusion
The traders have asked the district administration to ensure that festive food-safety checks target adulterated products at entry points and do not result in alleged harassment of local shopkeepers. The memorandum places the issue before District Magistrate Anshul Singh for consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What did the Almora traders submit?
They submitted a memorandum to District Magistrate Anshul Singh regarding food-safety inspections during the upcoming festive season.
Q. What allegation did the traders make?
They alleged that officials harass traders in the name of festive-season inspections, creating fear among local businesses.
Q. What products did the traders mention?
They referred to khoya, paneer and the quality of sweets sold during the festive period.
Q. Where did the traders want intensified checking?
They asked for checks at Lodhiya barrier and the district borders.
Q. What did the traders say about their festive stock?
They said traders take bank loans to prepare stock for the festivals.
Q. What action did the business organisation seek?
It asked authorities to act against the main offenders instead of troubling local shopkeepers.
