Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 21: In a major move to clear pending inspections caused by a shortage of field staff across various government departments, the Karnataka government has permitted the use of authorised third-party private agencies.

According to an official notification issued on Wednesday, October 21, the government has directed relevant departments to enlist the help of private agencies for scheduled inspections, audits, and certifications. The system will be implemented in the first phase for departments facing significant backlogs at the field level.

The following departments will fall under the ambit of this new directive:

• Legal Metrology Department: Annual inspection and stamping of weighing machines and measuring instruments.

• Food Safety and Drug Administration Department: Inspection of food business establishments, hotels, restaurants, medical stores, and pharmacies.

• Department of Factories and Boilers: Safety inspections and annual certification of industrial boilers.

The government order clarified that outsourcing these tasks to private agencies will not curtail the statutory powers of government officials. The authority to collect food and drug samples, seize goods, and initiate legal proceedings or file lawsuits will remain exclusively with government officials.

By relying on the inspection and audit reports submitted by these private agencies, government officials will be able to identify high-risk establishments and focus their direct inspections and subsequent actions more effectively.