Written permission mandatory for distribution of food, water in flood-affected areas

The district administration has made prior written approval compulsory for distributing food, water and other edible items in flood-affected areas of Gujrat in order to prevent "serious threat" to human lives.

A notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Nurulain Qureshi directed all non-governmental organisations, individuals, and unauthorised notables to obtain written clearance from either the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) or the District Health Authority (DHA) before distributing cooked or uncooked food, water or milk to flood victims.

The DC further imposed Section 144 for one month, until September 27, to enforce the restriction.

An official from the local administration said the decision had been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of flood-affected residents.

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"Whereas, it has been reported that some unknown / unauthorized / unofficial persons / notables & NGOs are distributing unchecked food at flood affected areas in the district which poses a serious threat to public health. Hence, it is mandatory to take all possible safety measures for prevention of any threat to human lives in Gujrat," read the notification.

The DC ordered that "the edible items, water & food etc. shall be distributed after written clearance from the officials of Punjab Food Authority / District Health Authority, Gujrat in flood affected areas within the jurisdiction of District Gujrat."

"No food cooked/uncooked, food hampers, edibles, drinking water, milk and any eatable item shall be distributed without written clearance from the Punjab Food Authority / District Health Authority, Gujrat in the territorial jurisdiction of Gujrat District."