Mumbai MLA hostel caterer's licence suspended after 'stale' food claim by legislator

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has suspended the licence of a caterer that operates the canteen at the MLA hostel in Mumbai, where a staffer was assaulted by a Shiv Sena legislator for allegedly serving stale food.

The FDA, in its suspension order on Wednesday evening, stated the contractor (Ajanta Caterers) had violated provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

The violations were found during an inspection conducted at the Akashwani MLA hostel earlier on Wednesday, said the regulator.

The FDA's order directed Ajanta Caterers to cease food service operations at the hostel premises starting Thursday.

The action comes after ruling Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapped and punched an employee at the MLAs' hostel canteen for serving "stale food".

The MLA from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led party said he had repeatedly raised concerns about the quality of food served in the canteen but no corrective action was taken.

"I had complained several times about the food served in the canteen but the situation remained unchanged," Gaikwad claimed.

Viral video footage showing the Buldhana MLA slapping and punching an employee at the MLAs' hostel canteen for serving "stale food" has drawn widespread condemnation from government and opposition, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis denouncing the act.

The CM said such behaviour sends a "wrong message" about legislators misusing their power.

The widely circulated video shows Gaikwad, wearing a vest and a towel, confronting the canteen contractor and forcing him to smell a packet of dal before slapping and punching him.

Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde said if something wrong is happening, there could be legal action, but beating up people is inappropriate.