Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 12: Jammu and Kashmir High Court today sought status report as well as action taken report from the authorities indicating therein that they are ensuring flood hit items are not sold to the consumers.
Hearing a Public Interest seeking safe and uncontaminated food is provided to the general public as also on the rates fixed by the authorities, the Division Bench of Jammu and Kashmir High Court comprising Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey extended week’s time to the authorities for implementing the court orders passed from time to time in this regard.
Court said that Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Kashmir who was present in the court has not filed the affidavit as he was directed in previous direction. On joint request of Senior Additional Advocate General Javed Kawoosa and CA&PDs counsel Tariq Lone, court extended time by one week. It has been made clear by the court if affidavit is not filed by Director then action will be taken under contempt jurisdiction for violating court orders.
“In view of the request made by the learned counsels, time is extended for filing the affidavit in light of the observation made in previous order. In case affidavit is not filed within time, it would be presumed that the said officer is violating the court orders which will necessitate for initiation of action under the Contempt jurisdiction of this court against the said officer”, said the bench.
Commissioner Secretary to Government, Health and Medical Education Department in his affidavit and action taken report said that 2566 inspections have been carried out in various food establishments from November 1 to November 30 in various districts to ensure that no flood hit items are sold to consumers.
“In District Srinagar, the number of inspection conducted is shown to be 169. Where the inspections have been conducted, dealing with food items which were inspected, ‘no such details have been given.’ Same is the case in respect of other districts both in Kashmir as well in Jammu divisions”, said the bench.
“It is necessary for the authorities to provide the above details so that it will be known as to whether the inspections have been conducted in all the areas of every district”, directed the bench.
“The effort of the court is to ensure that contaminated flood hit food items are not sold in any area of the State. Providing of details of inspection in the areas in this back drop becomes imperative”, observed Justice Attar.
Court directed the Commissioner Secretary H&ME to filed affidavit giving the details in respect of each district of Kashmir as well as Jammu where inspection have been conducted. “The names of business establishments, distributors, retail outlets, area wise shall be brought to the notice of the court as also the confiscation destruction of the contaminated food items and what action has been taken against such persons”, directed the bench.
Court after perusing the compliance report of in charge Controller Drugs and Food Control Organization observed that the report in respect of providing information suffers same malady as the report of Commissioner H&ME Department Suffers.
Court said that it is the duty of the authorities panel action against the persons which are found to be dealing with contaminated flood hit items, as provided in law and brought ‘such action taken’ to the notice of the court.
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