Ahmedabad: The dining scene in Ahmedabad is facing a creepy-crawly crisis. With an increasing number of people complaining about being served insect-infested meals, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation ( AMC ) is responding by amending the GPMC Act to introduce stringent bylaws designed to whip the city's food establishments into shape. From humble street carts to ritzy five-star hotels, all are in the AMC's crosshairs.
In fact, the swankier the restaurant, the steeper the penalty. High-end establishments could now be slapped with fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to a jaw-dropping Rs 50 lakh if they fail to meet cleanliness standards, top sources aware of the draft bylaws being finalized said. The message is clear: no matter how posh the setting, hygiene is non-negotiable.
"All food-serving and producing units in Ahmedabad will be categorized into four groups: A, B, C and D. Units with the highest prices and largest customer bases will be in category A, while categories B, C, and D will follow in descending order, with street vendors and carts in category D. Each category will face different fines for up to 30 specific violations," said an AMC official.
If a restaurant commits multiple violations, it will incur separate penalties for each infraction, resulting in a cumulative increase in the total fine amount. "The highest fines will be reserved for Category A, which includes luxury hotels, upscale restaurants and large cloud kitchens. These categories are determined by factors su.