Pradhan Mantri Swanidhi Yojana has transformed the lives of street vendors and it has helped in uplifting their economic status. The vendors should now concentrate on expanding their businesses using the financial leverage provided by the scheme, stated Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ayush, Health and Family Welfare, Pratap Jadhav, here on Tuesday. He was speaking after inauguration of FSSAI organised training programme for street vendors at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Auditorium, Reshimbagh. Referring to rich cultural heritage of the country, where it is said that after every 4 km apart, taste of water and cuisine changes, and despite that Indian cuisine is renowned throughout the world and it's taste has carved a niche for itself. And one cannot ignore contribution of street food in shaping the taste buds of people. Now the street food has entered in villages also and along side farming, it is now portent for side income. He also referred to Mumbai's famed street food that is known for fulfilling the hunger pans of people in city which they say never sleeps.

 

Speaking about FSSAI, the Minister mentioned that the Central Government organisation ensures that quality in the food is maintained and provides various services for the same. The organisation also has established the norms for various food products in the country and urged street vendors to make full use of training to improve and improvise their products so as to remain stable in competitive era. Specially, Jadhav asked the vendors to ensure that cleanliness is strictly observed and food that is being sold should be nutritious. He also mentioned that 100 districts in country will have FSSAI run street food centres. Around 2,000 vendors have enlisted for the training including 1,000 alone from Mumbai. At the training, experts are going to update the vendors about the hygiene standards, adherence to food quality, and taking certification to ensure food being sold is as per the norms.