Waqf Board forms panel after food oil rodent incident

SRINAGAR — After a huge crisis over unhygienic street food and public outcry on dead rodents in food oil, the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board on Sunday formed a committee to address unhygienic vendor markets in Hazratbal, including Chapri Market.

As per an order issued by Tehsildar Waqf Board, “In light of the number of complaints regarding the unhygienic and dilapidated condition of Vendor Market (Chapri Market) at Assar-i-Sharief, Hazratbal, Srinagar, and amid significant public outcry following recent video footage circulating on various social media platforms highlighting the unhygienic and deteriorated conditions of the Chapri Market, the department has taken serious note of the matter.”

“In response, and as reiterated by the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, during the review meeting of Mehraj-ul-Alam 2025, the Hon’ble Chairperson has issued firm instructions for immediate and decisive action to address the situation,” the order reads.

Accordingly, it added, sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of a Committee, comprising the following, to examine and recommend measures for the improvement of hygiene and aesthetics at Chapri Market, Assar-i-Sharief, Hazratbal, Srinagar.

According to the order, the committee will be headed by Mr Khursheed Ahmed Wani, Administrator, while Mr Ashiq Hussain Wani, Administrator, Mr Gulam-e-Murtaza, J.E., and Mr Anzar Hamid, J.E., have been appointed as members of the committee.

The committee has been assigned to conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of Chapri Market, including hygiene measures, structural aesthetics, and overall market conditions, it reads.

The panel has been tasked to propose a cohesive colour scheme for vendor structures to complement the ongoing beautification efforts within the Shrine area, examine the long-pending issues of Sabzi Market vendors at Assar-i-Sharief, Hazratbal, propose a layout for canopy-type structures for their stalls and recommend measures for the settlement of rent issues.

The order issued by the Tehsildar Waqf Board on the directions of the Hon’ble Chairperson further reads that the Committee shall submit its report along with its recommendations within a period of 10 days.

It is important to mention that on the following Friday of Meraj-ul-Alam SAW, a video went viral on social media, showing dead rodents in food oil used in street food known as Nadir-Munji in Kashmir. While the authorities immediately seized the vendor’s shop, the police registered an FIR against the vendor for selling unhygienic food.