During a broader policy of tightening the screws on food safety and civic discipline, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Solid Waste Management (SWM) Department recently imposed a fine of ₹1,00,000 on the popular Star Ambur Biriyani outlet in Jayanagar East. After an inspection of the facility on Tuesday evening, officials discovered a number of "unacceptable" contraventions aimed at both posing an immediate threat to public health and contaminating the city's cleanliness standards.
Why was the fine given, however?
Two major failings led to the fine, the Bengaluru South City Corporation (South Zone) confirmed:
- Severe Unhygienic Conditions: Inspectors found that basic food safety and hygiene requirements weren't met in the kitchen and storage areas.
- Non-Segregation of Dry and Wet Waste: The establishment was discovered mixing waste despite many reminders from the BBMP to segregate dry from wet waste, which made the city’s waste management difficult.
"Rules are for Everyone."
The official handle from the South City Corporation took to social media to announce the punishment. “Let us keep Bengaluru clean and healthy!” And the step is part of what was also a much more muscular push by the SWM team to hold commercial actors accountable for their ‘environmental footprint.’
The Clean Bengaluru initiative empowers teams to conduct surprise inspections on the high-footfall eateries through its Clean Bengaluru initiative, ensuring that waste generated is treated according to Solid Waste Management Rules.
Impact on Local Businesses
The ₹1 lakh fine is a clear warning to all other restaurants in the Jayanagar and JP Nagar centres. For a lot of people, it’s a welcome change. “Jayanagar is great for food, but not necessarily at the expense of hygiene. The authorities are taking big names on hard times, which is a sign they mean business,” said one regular in the area.
As a result of an establishment's violation of those laws and regulations, there are high fines that establishments are subject to along with temporary suspension of their trade licence on these unsafe premises if not sanitized in a designated period.
