States » NorthPosted at: Oct 6 2026 7:18PM


Punjab milk under cloud in Panchkula: DC leads surprise crackdown, sends samples for lab tests

Panchkula, Oct 6 (UNI) The Panchkula administration on Tuesday put milk supplies originating from neighbouring Punjab under the scanner after receiving complaints of suspected adulteration, with Deputy Commissioner Satpal Sharma personally intercepting vehicles and ordering immediate laboratory testing of samples.
The surprise operation was carried out in Mankya village near Ramgarh, a key entry point for milk entering the district.
Sharma stopped and inspected multiple vehicles carrying milk consignments from Punjab and directed officials to draw samples on the spot for forensic laboratory analysis to check for contamination, dilution or chemical adulteration.
"Any attempt to play with the health of citizens will not be tolerated," Sharma warned, making it clear that stringent legal action would follow if the lab reports confirm any violation of food safety standards.
The inspection also exposed serious transport violations in the milk distribution chain.
Several motorcycles ferrying milk towards Panchkula city were found operating without number plates.
Sharma immediately directed Regional Transport Authority officials to issue challans and impound the unregistered vehicles under existing rules.
Officials said the crackdown targets not just the quality of the milk but also the opaque, unregulated manner in which it is being transported across the border into Haryana.
The administration clarified that it has not yet established that the seized milk is adulterated.
The final determination will rest on the laboratory reports, which are now being treated as decisive evidence for the next round of action.
However, the message from the administration was unambiguous.
"There will be no compromise on the quality of food products in the district," Sharma said, signalling that suppliers and transporters alike are now on notice.
The operation did not stop at milk vehicles.
The administration extended its sweep to Raipur Rani, where Sharma inspected sweet shops and reviewed the quality of milk-based sweets and dairy products ahead of the festive season, when demand surges and the risk of food adulteration peaks.
The Deputy Commissioner disclosed that he had recently convened a meeting of prominent sweet sellers in Panchkula, directing them to maintain strict hygiene, cleanliness and quality standards or face action.
Sharma ordered the District Food Safety Officer to continue random inspections and sampling across the district, indicating that Tuesday's operation marks the start of a sustained enforcement drive rather than a one-off check.
With the laboratory findings pending, the administration has put the entire network of Punjab-based milk suppliers servicing Panchkula on high alert.
If the tests fail, officials said, the crackdown will escalate into formal prosecutions, heavy penalties and a possible disruption of unregulated cross-border milk channels.
UNI KK RN
Tags: #Punjab milk under cloud in Panchkula: DC leads surprise crackdown# sends samples for lab tests
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