Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to implement strict rules and penalties for demolition

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has prepared new drafts with stricter rules and penalty provisions to regulate construction and demolition activities in the city. Under these new rules, if any construction or structure has a built-up area exceeding 500 square metres, it will be mandatory to obtain permission at least one week in advance for its demolition. Additionally, according to a report by The Times of India, strict action including stop-work orders and penalties will be taken against those violating the rules.

Meanwhile, a serious case of theft and scam involving government scheme resources has emerged at Ahmedabad's SVP Hospital. It has been revealed that surgical instruments allocated for the treatment of poor and needy patients under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) are being black-marketed. Serious allegations have surfaced that surgical instruments worth approximately ₹39.78 lakh have been repeatedly sold from the hospital, causing a stir across the entire health sector.

According to a report by Sandesh, these irregularities were carried out very cunningly without the knowledge of the hospital's senior officials. Around 8 doctors of the hospital have come directly under suspicion in this scam. Preliminary investigations have revealed that these instruments were obtained by illegally using the names of patients or identity cards of other individuals. One doctor has also confessed to officially issuing 90 surgical drapes, raising suspicions that the links of this scam run deeper.

On the other hand, keeping the Diwali festivals in mind, the Health and Food Department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has taken major action for violation of food safety rules. According to a report by DashGujarat, 'Gayatri Chavanu Mart' located opposite Ganj Bazar in Madhupura and 'Saurashtra Bhajiya and Ganthiya' located at Gopal Complex near Ujala Circle in Sarkhej have been sealed. During the investigation, the proportion of Total Polar Compounds (TPC) in the oil used at Saurashtra Bhajiya and Ganthiya was found to exceed the limit of 25%. This firm did not have an FSSAI license or registration and had no contract with an authorized agency for the disposal of used oil. Additionally, the employees working there were not wearing safety gear such as caps, aprons, masks, and gloves. It was also found that Gayatri Chavanu Mart was operating without an FSSAI license or registration and was not following hygiene standards.

In addition, the Food Department has also taken action in Palanpur, Banaskantha. According to a report by TV9 Gujarati, during an inspection at Super Namkeen firm located on Sherpura Highway in Vadgam, they were caught manufacturing namkeen in unhygienic conditions. 70 kg of burnt oil and 115 kg of unhygienic namkeen (Lal Sev, Chavanu, Papdi, and Ratlami Sev) were found there, and a total of 185 kg of food stock was seized and destroyed on the spot. The value of this seized stock was approximately ₹24,300. This firm also did not have the necessary registration, and samples of the namkeen have been sent to the laboratory for testing.