Ujjain: Mahakaleshwar temple has time and again shot into the limelight for more reasons than one. This time, the Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee (MTMC), has been accused of distributing ‘prasad’ made from fungus infested dry fruits. The MTMC has vehemently denied these charges, claiming that they had adhered to all norms of hygiene in its production.
Reliable sources said, the dry fruits used were dried under sunlight at the ‘prasad’ manufacturing unit though it contained fungus. The MTMC, however, justified that it was a usual procedure as the dry fruits contain moisture. Sources added that staff of the Mahakal prasad unit based at Chintaman Ganesh, dried the dry fruits purchased on a large scale during the Simhastha Mela and dried it on the terrace of the unit’s building.
Due to inappropriate storage facility at the unit, the dry fruits had gone stale and to conceal the irregularities of the authority, the stale dry fruits were dried in the sun. It is estimated that around 2830 kg dry fruits had gone stale due to the negligence of the authorities. The matter is now being probed by the food department.
The unit usually prepares 5-10 quintals of ‘laddoo prasad’ using pure ingredients. The pulses are powdered in a mill specifically for the purpose and the ‘prasad’ is packed properly under the supervision of the efficient workers.
Assistant administrator of MTMC, Priti Chouhan said the ingredients are tested by food inspector before use, denying any reports of fungus hit dry fruits. She claimed that it was totally fresh and it was just moisture that had seeped in. The ‘prasad’ is prepared as per requirement and the ingredients are stored at right temperature, she added.
