The central Gujarat city of Vadodara on Friday banned sale of panipuri in a bid to control waterborne diseases.
While there is no system in place for the effective monitoring of the diktat, the municipal corporation feels that it would be able to control the number of people falling ill due to water related diseases.
Vadodara Mayor, Dr. Jigisha Sheth, told THE WEEK that we do not the source of water used by panipuri vendors. The move, she said, would help control water borne diseases.
According to Sheth, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation destroyed about 5000 litres of unclean water. However, the corporation did not take any action against the panipuri vendors who use mineral water.
Along with Vadodara, Surat Municipal Corporation also raided panipuri vendors in Surat. Both in Vadodara and Surat, the officials destroyed potatoes, gram and other ingredients. In Ahmedabad, various other food products were also destroyed.
In the first half of July, Vadodara had witnessed six deaths due to cholera and it was proved that the deaths happened due to contamination of water. There has been also a spurt in water borne diseases in the city.
The city has also been getting contaminated water supply in different areas as several drainage and water pipelines are over 50 years old.
According to sources, the VMC has asked Rs 300 crore from the state government for new pipelines.
Congress corporator Ami Ravat felt that though the measure is good for hygiene, it won't be enough to monitor the situation. “I feel sick even after eating food in a five-star hotel. How often is the food monitored there,” she asked.
Ravat alleged that the VMC is sitting on a hawking scheme and has not implemented it. “Even in the hawking schemes there is no hygiene. First maintain that and then go in for such steps,” she said, adding that it will affect the livelihood of thousands of panipuri vendors.
A corporator from the ruling BJP, requesting anonymity, asked if it was proven whether the waterborne diseases were due to the water used in panipuri shops.
In the entire debate, the fact remains that it is the VMC's responsibility to provide potable water. There are rumours that the VMC had taken such a decision to divert people's attention from the basic issues.
Sheth said that at least for now the ban would continue and they would later on see if permission could be given to those selling panipuris using mineral water.