Mumbai Cricket Association Listed as Food Operator, But Actual Operators ‘Have No Licence’

“MCA is registered as a Food Business Operator (FBO), but the actual operator is somebody else, who does not have a licence or registration".

By Sakshi

New Delhi, September 6: A total of five restaurants and bars operating at the Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) premises are under scrutiny after the Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found irregularities in their third-party contracting arrangements.

According to FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the MCA is registered as a Food Business Operator (FBO), while the actual operator of the establishments is a different entity that does not have a food licence or registration.

“MCA is registered as a Food Business Operator (FBO), but the actual operator is somebody else, who does not have a licence or registration,” Mundhe told PTI in an interview.

Mundhe said that a food licence is issued to a particular entity, for a particular place and for a particular activity. Therefore, if the MCA has obtained the licence while another entity is operating the establishments in its name, the arrangement is not permitted under the law, he said.

“When we issue a licence, we issue it to a particular entity, for a particular place and for a particular activity. So, if the MCA took the licence and somebody else is working in its name, it is not allowed as per the law,” the FDA Commissioner said.

“There is a violation across four or five places,” Mundhe said, referring to the FDA’s action involving the five restaurants and bars at the MCA facility. (AI-GENERATED)

What All was Running Without Permission

The issue concerns five establishments at the MCA facility — Permit Room, Pavilion, Mediterranean, Oriental Swing, and Clubway & Pastry Counter.

Mundhe said the court has passed an order concerning whether a licence obtained by the MCA can be operated by another entity. “We have issued the notices and will issue the order accordingly,” he said.

“There is a violation across four or five places,” Mundhe said, referring to the FDA’s action involving the five restaurants and bars at the MCA facility.

The FDA had earlier suspended the food licences of Permit Room, Pavilion, Mediterranean, Oriental Swing, and Clubway & Pastry Counter. The initial closure notice was based on hygiene lapses and structural violations.

The suspension of the five restaurants and bars was later lifted following intervention from the Bombay High Court last month.

The restaurants were being run by a third-party contractor, Shirke Infrastructure, while the Food Business Operator licences were in the name of the MCA.

Mundhe said the actual operators need to obtain the required licence to operate the establishments.

“They need to take a licence and (only) those who take a licence can operate. If some operator needs to, they have to take a licence and they can operate,” he said.

The FDA has issued notices as directed by the court and is awaiting replies from the concerned parties. The department will pass its order once the responses are received, Mundhe said.