BMC Tightens Leash On Gymkhanas, Orders To Stick To Dedicated Kitchens For Cooking

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has tighten the leash on gymkhanas on illegal food preparation says a recent report by the Times of India. The BMC have ordered that the gymkhanas cook in the kitchens and not elsewhere. The illegal activity was discovered during an inspection conducted by the civic authorities post the Kamala Mills fire incident.

Cooking To Be Only Done In The Kitchen

“While the gymkhanas have been given permission to cook in kitchen areas, we have found that for functions like marriages, food is cooked in open spaces. This cannot be allowed. A warning has already been issued to them. If they continue, we will be forced to seize their wares,” Jeevak Ghedamal, assistant municipal commissioner of C-Ward told the Times of India. He further added that the Catholic, Hindu, Parsi, Islam and Police Gymkhanas at Marine Drive have been told to make sure that food is prepared only in the kitchen and not in any other space. This is not the first time that a fire breakout has led BMC to tighten leashes on restaurants and eateries.

The gymkhana authorities too spoke to the publication and said that all the cooking was done indoors for the members. “Even for the new year’s dance, we managed with our own kitchen. But what happens in case of weddings or functions held in the open grounds outside? The caterer would suffer as he is not allowed to cook anything in the open,” said Norbert Pereira, secretary, Catholic Gymkhana while speaking to the Times of India. The BMC seems to be leaving no trail untouched after the Kamala Mills fire killed 14 people.