Street vendors demand alternative arrangement to sell their ware

February 4, 2014

Mangalore, Feb 4: Local street vendors under the banner of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) staged a protest in front of the Mangalore city corporation office at Lalbagh on Monday, demanding an alternative arrangement for street vendors to peddle their goods.

They urged the civic body to reserve for them a hawking place in the central business area in the city.

Addressing the protestors, honorary president of the district unit of CITU Sunil Kumar Bajal said that the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill had been passed in the Parliament in 2012, to protect the livelihood of street vendors. However, today they are helpless as they are being opposed by permanent shop owners in Central Market and other markets in the city. The concerned authorities have to provide separate space for the street vendors, and earn their livelihood, he said.

Later, the protestors squatted at the entrance of the office pressing their demand.

The sit-in followed eviction of street vendors from the surroundings of central market building recently.

They withdrew their dharna at 4 p.m. after the deputy commissioner and administrator of the civic body A B Ibrahim and the commissioner of the corporation Ajith Kumar Hegde Shanady held talks with the their association.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

Warning! Cancer-causing chemicals found in bakery products, especially cakes in Karnataka

News Network

October 3,2024

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department has issued an urgent warning following the discovery of potentially cancer-causing chemicals in cakes sold by certain bakeries across the state.

Recent tests conducted by the department revealed that some cake samples, particularly those with vibrant colors, contain harmful synthetic coloring agents such as Allura Red, a substance known to pose health risks. The findings have raised concerns about the use of artificial colors in bakery products, especially given their potential link to cancer and other serious health conditions.

"We routinely test various food products, and this time, our officials noticed unusually dark-colored cakes on the market," said Srinivas K, Commissioner of Food Safety for Karnataka. "Upon testing, we found that a few cakes contained Allura Red, a synthetic dye associated with health risks."

The use of artificial colors, especially in popular cakes like red velvet and pineapple varieties, is widespread as it attracts customers, particularly children. However, many bakers prefer using natural, safer alternatives, while some opt for synthetic dyes to enhance the cake's visual appeal.

"Most bakeries use permissible, natural colors that are safe for consumption. Unfortunately, a few are resorting to synthetic dyes just to make their cakes more attractive," said a bakery owner from Electronic City, speaking anonymously.

Medical experts are warning that consuming synthetic colors can lead to numerous health issues, including asthma and allergic reactions.

"Some of these artificial dyes are carcinogenic, and prolonged exposure could have serious consequences, especially for children and young adults," cautioned Dr. Vandana G, a private medical practitioner.

While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) confirms that only a limited number of samples tested positive for harmful colors, legal action is being taken against the violators.

"There is no need for widespread panic or halting production. We are closely monitoring the situation, and only a few bakeries were found to be non-compliant. Rest assured, appropriate legal measures are underway," assured an FSSAI official.

Comments