Chandigarh, Sept. 30 -- The Punjab government has told the Punjab and Haryana high court that a total penalty of Rs.3.04 crore was imposed in 2,191 cases decided on complaints of food adulteration across the state between 2019 and 2024.

Under secretary, department of health and family welfare, Punjab, Ram Ishwar said penalties were awarded in approximately 95% of the cases in these cases decided between January 2, 2019, and December 31, 2024.

The information was given during resumed hearing of a public interest litigation filed in 2024, seeking measures alleging that the menace of adulterated milk and milk products was rising in Punjab.

The petition prayed for effective implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with em...