After Maharashtra and Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh will be the third state in the country where the food and drugs departments will be working under one department, Department of Food and Drug Administration.

According to sources, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati has already gave her consent for the constitution of food and drug administration department in order to check adulteration in food items and drugs. She also asked the officials to constitute a `public watch group' and a helpline for registration of public complaints.

The decision was taken following reports of adulteration of food items and drugs from various parts of the state. Announcing the constitution of the food and drug administration, Mayawati has warned that people engaged in adulteration of eatables and drugs would be punished severely under the Food Adulteration Act-1964 and Drug and Cosmetic Act-1940.

The department of food and drug administration would be headed by principal secretary, Desh Deepak Verma who has been handed the additional charge. The department would later have a joint commissioner and two joint directors to oversee the functions. Inspectors would be posted on the field as part of the network. The department would also have a vigilance wing to be headed by an officer of the rank of DIG.

Mayawati said that the department needs to have efficient officers to deal with the menace which has gained alarming proportions over the years. The chief minister has also asked the officials to expedite the process of taking samples and getting them tested. Checking of adulteration has been under the jurisdiction of the department of medical and health which has been working with coordination with the local bodies.

Commenting on the constitution of the department of food and drug administration in UP, a drug inspector in Rajasthan Manoj Tongra said that this decision will prove to be successful as there will be better coordination between the food and drug departments which has been proved in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat.