Thrissur: Indian Coffee Houses, operating under Thrissur-based Coffee Board Workers Co-operative of southern region, are found to be selling food preparations sourced from outside. The practice, according to authorities, is widespread in the said southern region.
Indian Coffee Houses were originally set up by AKG to provide food at affordable prices to meal-seekers.. The Indian Coffee Houses of southern region under Coffee Board Cooperative are currently governed by Congress - BJP managing committee. There are 1900 workers and employees across 54 Coffee Houses here. Coffee Houses are losing their attraction rapidly owing to the current committee’s mismanagement, irregularities and practice of buying cheap food preparations at unfair prices from outside and selling them at high rates back at Coffee Houses. The Food Safety dept found at least 15 Coffee Houses indulging in this kind of modus operandi.
Appam(hoppers), Idiappam(string hoppers), Idlis etc are routinely brought by these violative Coffee Houses from home-based suppliers to Thrissur Health University, Kunnamkulam Unity Hospital, Kottayam Medical College, Cherthala Bypass Road and Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. Food item costing Rs 3 per unit is sold for Rs.11 making patrons purchasing meals here pay through their nose. Added to this is fact that none of these purchased stuff undergoes any check for safety or quality.
Traditionally, purchases were made by manager but now, the managing committee makes these buys directly and allegation is rife that commissions are mainstay for food purchases that come with three-month credit.
Also coffee, the flagship beverage here, are made with coffee beans bought and grounded without any tender process. Investigation into all these irregularities is currently under progress.
