Delhi Cloud Kitchen Scam: Food Safety Watchdogs Quoting Extra Money Uncovered
An India Today undercover investigation by the Special Investigation Team's Nitin Jain exposes corruption within the food licensing process in Delhi. The sting reveals how food safety watchdogs allegedly demand excess money while assuring prospective cloud kitchen operators that hygiene lapses and inspection violations will be overlooked. When inquiring about the licensing procedure for setting up an online kitchen, investigators were quoted 50,000 rupees for a three-year period. However, official calculations indicate registration and annual fees should total 36,000 rupees, leaving an unexplained 14,000-rupee gap. On camera, an official dismisses concerns regarding pest control, mandatory medical certificates for workers, and dirty premises, suggesting medical certificates can easily be acquired from any doctor. The official instructs that part of the licensing payment be made online to generate a printout, while demanding the remaining amount be paid directly in cash.