THE LAST `SERVE': A girl takes away her plate of `Gokul chat' as MCH authorities serve closure notice on the owner at Kothi on Monday . — PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

HYDERABAD: The MCH has finally shut down `Gokul Chat Bhandar' located in the busy Koti area with officials of Health and Sanitation Department, with the assistance of the police, sealing the premises and seizing various materials.

Commissioner Sanjay Jaju issued closure orders on Monday morning after the High Court had upheld the civic body action to close the eating joint following complaints of unhygienic food being served, unauthorised running of the premises and lack of mandatory parking space.

According to G. Srinivasa Rao, Assistant Medical and Health Officer of Circle Six, the food joint was preparing food items in a dirty kitchen with stale ingredients and with workers lacking proper hygiene.

Also, the eatery was found to be running nine premises of which only three had trade licences and two had food licences when it was mandatory for all to have both the permits.

The building itself was found to be an illegal structure lacking any sanctioned plan.

Notices served

Food samples were lifted and notices were served under the Food Adulteration Act in October last following complaints from public about the quality of food and traffic conditions in the area.

When Gokul's response within the stipulated 30 days was found not satisfactory, the authorities had served closure notices "in the interest of public health and safety" which prompted the former to approach the high court.

The high court upheld the corporation action, which facilitated the closure. Dr. Rao said the reports on the food samples picked up were expected in few weeks time. He urged all hotels and eating establishments to maintain proper sanitary conditions on their premises, stale food was not served and their workers too maintain proper hygiene or face penal action.

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