By TC News Desk
Agartala, 3rd June 2025: In a bid to ensure compliance with food safety regulations, a joint team from the North District Health Office and Panisagar Sub-Divisional Food Safety department conducted a surprise raid on a packaged water treatment facility ‘Clear Stream Water’ located at Ward No. 4 of West Panisagar Gram Panchayat under Panisagar Police Station.
The operation was led by North District Food Safety Officer Dr. Kinkar Debbarma and North District Health Officer Dr. Rahul Purkayastha accompanied by Food Inspector Gautam Bhattacharjee, Revenue Inspector Ajay Debnath, personnel from the Panisagar Home administration and TSR jawans.
During the inspection, authorities discovered multiple regulatory lapses under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, including non-compliance with protocols set by FSSAI. Officials stated that similar raids are being conducted across Dharmanagar and Panisagar to ensure the availability of hygienic packaged drinking water in remote areas.
The drive team assessed the legal status of the Clear Stream Water facility and found certain deficiencies, particularly the absence of an approved testing lab as mandated by safety protocols. Consequently, plant owner Ashok Das and his father Shitesh Das were issued a warning and the marketing of packaged water jars produced at the facility was temporarily banned.
Following the raid, officials moved to Panisagar market, where they inspected multiple packaged water suppliers, scrutinizing the quality of imported water jars, production and expiry dates, and batch numbers. Sellers were directed to register with the Food Safety Department immediately and obtain necessary licenses.
Authorities also imposed a temporary ban on the sale of packaged water from various suppliers until they fulfill prescribed legal requirements. Several instances of negligence were identified among retailers, prompting directives to ensure compliance with proper expiration dates and packaging standards. Officials warned that future violations could result in penalties and legal action.
