Food Safety Department Launches Drive Against Counterfeit Verka Ghee in Kulgam
Kulgam, June 27, KNT: The Food Safety Department on Saturday launched a special market inspection drive across Kulgam district to prevent the circulation of counterfeit Verka ghee and ensure that consumers are not sold spurious food products.
The drive was undertaken on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Shahzad Alam, as part of intensified market surveillance being carried out by the department.
A team led by District Food Safety Officer Inder Jeet Singh, accompanied by Food Safety Officer Nighat Geelani and other officials, inspected wholesale and retail establishments across the district to check the availability and authenticity of Verka ghee being sold in the market.
During the inspections, wholesalers, distributors and retailers were advised to verify the genuineness of their stock before purchasing or selling the product. Officials urged traders to exercise caution and ensure that only authentic food items reach consumers.
The inspection team also asked members of the trading community to immediately inform the Food Safety Department if they come across any suspected counterfeit food products so that prompt action can be taken.
Officials said the ongoing enforcement drive is aimed at preventing the sale of adulterated and fake food products, safeguarding public health and protecting consumers from fraudulent goods.
The department said market inspections will continue across the district to ensure compliance with food safety standards. [KNT]
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![PCC Asks DC Pulwama to Shut Down Illegal Brick Kilns, 18 Brick Kilns Face Regulatory Violations, 7 Listed Without Consent Pulwama, Aug 8, KNT: Pollution Control Committee has asked Deputy Commissioner to shut down illegal brick kilns in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. The latest status of brick kilns operating in south Kashmir's Pulwama district has revealed serious regulatory concerns, with 18 units listed either without consent, with expired Consent to Operate (CTO), or under a “Refused” status. The status details show that seven brick kilns are listed as operating “Without consent”, indicating that the units do not have the required regulatory consent to operate. The seven units are Dar Brick Kiln (415) at Alliepora Shahoora, LBK changed into Bhat Brick Kiln (151) at Nownagri Pulwama, Kamran Brick Kiln 777 at Parigam Newa, Budshah Brick Kiln at Audoora Pulwama, JKB Sanzan (151) at Astapora Sanzan, 417 Brick Kiln changed into 7HH at Achan Litter Pulwama, and Five Star Brick Kiln at Wahipora Pulwama. The list further shows eight brick kilns with expired CTOs, meaning their consent to operate has lapsed. These include Hilal Brick Kiln, Allie Brick Kiln, Bashir Ahmad Magray, Sunflower Brick Kiln, Jalal Brick Kiln, Magray Brick Kiln, Thoker Brick Kiln (A-No) and Shahoorа Brick Kiln (ATM). Another three units have been marked “Refused” in the consent status. These are Mir Brick Kiln at Hastikhud Zadoora Newa, Gulmour Brick Kiln at Tumchinowpora and Dar Brick Kiln at Tumchinowpora. The status as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust also contains brick kilns holding valid CTOs, indicating that the regulatory violations are not uniform across the district. The findings assume significance in view of the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee's direction to the Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, to initiate action against brick kilns operating without the requisite permissions and in violation of environmental regulations. The presence of multiple units with expired or refused consent, besides those listed without consent altogether, raises serious questions over their continued operation and the effectiveness of regulatory enforcement in the district. The concerned authorities are now expected to verify the operational status of these units and take action against those found functioning without valid statutory consent. [KNT]](https://newsagencyknt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Brick-Kiln-390x220.jpg)
