CM inaugurates Rs8.30 crore food and drug testing lab:declares zero tolerance against adulteration, labs to open in Ujjain, Jabalpur and Gwalior; celebrates Chhath Puja in Indore

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday declared a zero-tolerance policy against adulteration in food and medicines, warning that offenders will face the strictest possible action. He said the government is committed to ensuring citizens receive safe, pure, and certified products, while industries maintaining quality standards will be encouraged. Adulteration in the sale or manufacture of food and medicines will not be tolerated at any level. Strict action will be taken against those involved in adulteration, while honest and quality-driven enterprises will be encouraged and supported by the government. Dr. Yadav said. He was speaking after inaugurating the state’s second Food and Drug Testing Laboratory, built at a cost of Rs8.30 crore, at Talawali Chanda in Indore. The facility will serve as a model for other districts, enabling faster and more transparent testing processes. District-level labs to strengthen quality control Dr. Yadav announced that similar labs will soon be established across all districts of Madhya Pradesh to ensure better accessibility and efficiency. With district-level facilities, the inspection process will become more transparent and effective, improving public confidence in food and drug safety. he said. He also revealed that laboratories in Gwalior and Jabalpur will become operational within the next five months. Earlier, around 600 samples were tested in Bhopal. With the Indore lab now functional, over 3,000 samples can be analyzed—greatly strengthening our capacity for quality monitoring. the Chief Minister added. Malwa’s wit and pride: “Gadhe Gulab Jamun Khate Hain” anecdote Adding a lighter note to the event, Dr. Yadav narrated the famous Malwa saying, “Gadhe Gulab Jamun Khate Hain”, and its historical background linked to Fatehabad. He said, This phrase is connected to a story from Fatehabad, where a battle was fought between Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s sons. After Aurangzeb defeated his brothers and committed atrocities, the people of Fatehabad took symbolic revenge by sending boxes of gulab jamuns to Delhi. Since then, the saying ‘Look, even donkeys are eating gulab jamuns’ became popular. Leaders hail development and health initiatives Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya lauded the Chief Minister’s leadership, saying, Under Dr. Yadav’s vision, Madhya Pradesh is witnessing a new era of growth. Indore is receiving multiple gifts of progress. Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat emphasized that the state government has approved Rs787 crore to develop MY Hospital in Indore into a model institution. He also listed new civil hospitals and community health centres being built in Sanwer, Kanadia, Kampel, and Manglia. Minister of State for Public Health and Medical Education Narendra Shivaji Patel announced that after Indore and Bhopal, food and drug labs in Jabalpur, Gwalior, and Ujjain will soon be operational. The Food and Drug Administration is being strengthened to ensure that citizens receive safe and high-quality products across the state. An laboratory of international standards for testing food and drug will come up in Ujjain soon, with the cost of Rs 50 crores. he said. Commitment to clean food, honest industry, and public health Dr. Yadav said the Indore laboratory would boost testing capacity and strengthen regulatory oversight in the Malwa region. This is not just about testing, it is about trust. Citizens deserve purity and fairness in every product they consume. he stated. The event began with a welcome address by Food and Drug Administration Controller Dinesh Srivastava and concluded with a vote of thanks from Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Madhav Hasani. Greetings on Chhath Puja Extending greetings for Chhath Puja, Dr. Yadav said, Chhath is not limited to Purvanchal or the Northeast; it is now celebrated across India with devotion and joy. Following the inauguration, the Chief Minister was scheduled to attend various events across the city, including the Maharaj Rajendras Das’ Katha at Nandanagar Government School grounds, and community gatherings at Blue Lotus Garden, Barsana Garden, and Brilliant Convention Centre’s Nakshatra Garden.