Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 9: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Human Right Organization Voice for Rights against use of Calcium Carbide in artificial fruit ripening, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sanjeev Kumar today directed Divisional Commissioners to file Action Taken Report.
After hearing Advocate Deepika Singh Rajawat at length who appeared in person for the NGO, DB also issued notice to Commissioner/Secretary Health and Medical Education, Municipal Commissioners of Jammu/Srinagar and Deputy Food Commissioners of Jammu/Srinagar.
Earlier, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that Calcium Carbide is being used for ripening of the fruits which is injurious to the health of the public in general. She prayed before the court that directions shall be issued to the Divisional Commissioners for submission of report with regard to action taken by them to prevent such a practice, which is being adopted by the fruit vendors.
The NGO has relied upon the reports regarding use of hazardous toxic chemicals like Calcium Carbide for artificial ripening of fruits like papaya, mangoes, chiku etc in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. “The State has miserably failed in setting up of the mechanism to check the menace which is violating the very fundamental right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir i.e. Right to Live a Healthy and Dignified Life provided under the Constitution of India”, the NGO said.
In the PIL, prayer has also been made for setting up of the mechanism as mandated under the Food Safety Standards Act to check the quality of vegetables and other food items imported to the State of Jammu and Kashmir laced with impermissible residues of pesticides/ toxic chemicals at Lakhanpur Toll Plaza, Cross LoC Trade Centers at Chakkan Da Bagh Poonch and Aman Setu Uri.
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