Govt mulling crackdown on cooking oil reuse racket, says Khader
Share :
Minister U.T. Khader
Tumakuru: The government is considering measures to curb the alleged racket involving the collection and reuse of cooking oil from hotels, Health Minister U.T. Khader said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters after a Health Department meeting at the District Health Officer’s office in Tumakuru, Khader said authorities were looking at ways to prevent the repeated use of cooking oil in hotels and restaurants. He said a system could be introduced under which establishments would be required to register details of where they purchase cooking oil. The government is also considering an app-based system to record the quantity of oil purchased and the quantity remaining after use.
Such a mechanism would help officials track the movement and disposal of used cooking oil and prevent its unauthorised collection and reuse, the minister said.Khader also said hospitals in Tumakuru district were functioning well, though there were shortages of medicines and medical equipment at some facilities. He assured that steps would be taken to address the shortage at the earliest.
While there is a shortage of doctors and pharmacists in several parts of the state, Tumakuru district has achieved full availability of doctors, he said. The minister also issued a stern warning against unqualified persons practising medicine. He said fake doctors would not be tolerated under any circumstances and strict action would be taken against them.
Khader said he had directed officials to complete a drive against fake medical practitioners within 15 days. Action would also be taken if officials or politicians were found to be supporting or protecting such practitioners, he added. Asked about the Chief Minister’s reported warning to ministers following a proposed sting operation, Khader said he was unaware of the details. He said he was concentrating on his work and did not know which ministers had been warned.
