The Meghalaya government and the Centre have been given notice by the Meghalaya High Court on selling of edible items in an unhygienic condition in Shillong city.
The division bench of Chief Justice Ajay Kumar Mittal and Justice HS Thangkhiew issued this order after hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), which was filed by senior advocate SP Mahanta.
In the petition, Mahanta alleged that the state respondents have failed to display guidelines for maintaining the hygienic condition of edible items.
The state respondents neither displayed the guidelines through department of information and public relations or through any other print or electronic media nor conducted awareness programmes in market area or any other localities till date.
The PIL brought to the notice of the court that various vendors at places in and around Shillong are selling fruits and vegetables in the most unhygienic conditions and are exposed to various flies which are left uncovered.
The places where vendors are seen selling fruits and vegetables are Bara Bazar, Motphran, Police Bazar, Laitumkhrah, Iewdak (Laban) and Rynjah and main roads right from Fire Brigade point to Motphran.
The court said other issues were also been raised in the PIL relating to hygienic condition of eatables being sold in open markets.
The hearing was adjourned to August 22.
