Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 17: The High Court today expressed serious concern over the non appointment of Food Safety Commissioner (FSC) by observing that the department is working as headless and directed the Government to complete the proposal as already made with one week.
Commissioner Secretary Health Department was present as per Court directions and he has been asked by the Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey as to why the appointment FSC has not been made.
Commissioner Secretary submitted before the Court that the proposal of creation of post has been sent to Finance Department and after receiving the approval of proposal it will be placed before the Cabinet.
In this context Court directed the Finance Department to conclude the exercise with week’s time. Court said till the full time FSC is made, Commissioner Secretary shall have the additional charge of the post.
Counsel representing Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) explained the Court in detail as to what are the adversities, hardships and deficiencies in complying the FSS Act.
Referring the food testing laboratories in the State he submitted before the court that these laboratories need to be accredited by National Accreditation Board of Laboratories (NABL) Government of India so that result of lifted samples be done here without referring the samples to referral laboratories outside the state.
Court directed the concerned authorities to upgrade the laboratories by NABL then prosecution can be launched against the violators.”Unless the laboratories are accredited by NABL, prosecution against the violators is difficult”, court said.
Court observed the Health Commissioner, FSC in first instance should be in place thereafter other staff like FSOs, DOs, FAs appointed as unless and until proper staff is not in place the function of department is not workable.
Amicus to the PIL Advocate Bashir Ahmad Bashir during the proceeding suggested that it is not possible for the staff here to cater the food adulteration and to take sample in far-flung areas as also in other districts, therefore the proposal for establishing more labs in other districts be considered by the Government.
He submitted that lifting food samples is not enough but it needs to be kept in mind as how to prevent the reaching of adulterated food to the public.
Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) after visiting both labs already informed the Court that the food testing laboratories at Srinagar and Jammu lack manpower and testing equipments and the court had sought presence of Commissioner Secretary Health Department along with his report before the court.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel