2 weeks ago
Satkar Caterers Withdraws From Jogeshwari Hospital Canteen Amid Compliance Dispute
A catering company called Satkar Caterers used to run the snack shop at a big hospital in Mumbai.
In early August, the company suddenly stopped working there.
It said it could not get the official papers it needed, like food safety and fire safety licences.
The company said the city government did not give it a signed agreement letter that would help it get those papers.
The hospital's top doctor disagreed.
He said the company was asked to get the papers but did not do it.
Some city officials said the company may have been using the space without permission for years.
They think a former hospital worker may have helped the company do this, and that the city lost money because of it.
A health worker named Chetan Kothari wants an investigation into how the company could operate for so long without proper documents.
Now, people are asking questions about how the canteen was allowed to run.
Satkar Caterers withdrew from the canteen at the Jogeshwari trauma care hospital on August 3, citing unresolved statutory compliances including FSSAI, health and fire-related permissions.
The caterer said it could not complete the required licences because the BMC did not provide a valid agreement letter.
Medical Superintendent Dr Niranjan Kshirsagar disputed this, saying the caterer was asked to produce licences but failed to do so.
A civic official alleged the caterer occupied hospital space without authorisation, possibly in connivance with a former hospital official, causing BMC revenue loss over four to five years.
The issue surfaced during the Food and Drug Administration's crackdown on food safety violations, prompting health activist Chetan Kothari to demand an investigation.
- Who
- Satkar Caterers, the hospital administration led by Medical Superintendent Dr Niranjan Kshirsagar, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and health activist Chetan Kothari.
- What
- Satkar Caterers withdrew from the hospital canteen amid a dispute over statutory compliance requirements and a missing BMC agreement.
- Where
- Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care Municipal General Hospital, Jogeshwari East, Mumbai.
- When
- The withdrawal took effect on August 3; the report was published on August 15, 2026.
- Why
- The caterer said it could not complete required licences without a BMC agreement, while the hospital administration said the caterer failed to comply with mandatory permissions.
Satkar Caterers
Hospital Administration
Cause of withdrawal
Satkar Caterers
The caterer says it left because the BMC never gave it a valid agreement letter, without which it could not obtain fire safety and other licences.
Hospital Administration
The administration says the caterer was asked to apply for and submit all necessary licences but was reluctant and ultimately failed to comply, prompting its departure.
Responsibility for compliance lapses
Satkar Caterers
The caterer claims it was ready to complete compliance but was blocked by the absence of a valid BMC agreement.
Hospital Administration
The administration and civic officials say the caterer ignored requests for required documents and operated without proper authorisation for years.
Legitimacy of operation
Satkar Caterers
The caterer says the key issue was the absence of a valid agreement with the BMC, which it had requested in order to complete compliance.
Hospital Administration
A civic official alleges the caterer occupied hospital space without proper authorisation, allegedly in connivance with a former hospital official, causing revenue loss to the BMC over four to five years.
Key facts
- Caterer
- Satkar Caterers
- Hospital
- Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care Municipal General Hospital, Jogeshwari East
- Withdrawal Date
- August 3
- Statutory Compliances Cited
- FSSAI, health and fire-related permissions
- Medical Superintendent
- Dr Niranjan Kshirsagar
- Alleged Revenue Loss Period
- Four to five years
- Trigger
- FDA's intensified enforcement against food safety violations
- Health Activist
- Chetan Kothari
Quotes
Satkar Caterers Representative
Representative of the catering company operating the hospital canteen
“We had requested an agreement letter from the BMC to complete compliance requirements, including the fire safety licence and other permissions. However, we did not receive it. In its absence, we could not complete the necessary compliances and therefore decided to move out.”
freepressjournal.in
“We had asked them to apply for all the necessary licences and submit the documents, but they were reluctant. The caterer ultimately left the canteen as it failed to comply with the statutory requirements.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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