Expired goods worth over INR one lakh destroyed in Pfütsero

Dimapur, Sep. 20 (EMN): The Pfütsero administration, in Phek district, has destroyed expired goods worth over INR one lakh, on September 20.

Following a tip-off that shopkeepers were selling expired goods in the town, raids were conducted by additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Pfütsero, with police personnel, Dobashi, Gaon Bura, wards leaders, and members of the Pfütsero Town Convenor Organisation, and Traders Union. Sources said most of the seized goods were imported from Myanmar.

ADC Zeneikhonuo Vimero told Eastern Mirror that the administration had decided on the raids during a recent meeting with ward leaders and Gaon Bura. To the query about the penalty imposed on the sellers, Vimero said: “This time we just seized the goods and did not penalise them.”

The officer said that the administration will continue to conduct raids if the shopkeepers defy the warning and continue to sell dubious goods. However, she hoped that people would be aware about the restrictions after Thursday’s raid.

Speaking about the low understanding about expired goods among the people, including sellers and buyers, Vimero said even traders should have a degree of awareness about what they sell. The same goes for consumers: They need to buy things only after verifying the expiration dates, she reminded. She insisted that, “Health is very important and for a few citizens who are not aware at all, we should speak more of it.”

Also, Mission colony ward’s Chairman Vesapa Chiero informed that raids used to be conducted regularly. However, this was the first raid this year. He said that almost 100 shops, including pharmacies, corner shops and grocery stores, were checked. The expired goods were then destroyed at the Pfütsero garbage dumping site on the orders of the ADC, Chiero said.

The chairman mentioned that their day-long raid, which began at 9 am and concluded at 4 pm, was carried by six groups with seven to eight members in each group. He added that the shopkeepers and traders did not resist but ‘they were cooperative during the raid.’