Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 10: The High Court today said that the authorities entrusted with the job of curbing the food adulteration are not conducting checking and raids to manufacturing of substandard food items and directed for monitoring the production of food items across the State.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rashid Ali Dar, hearing a Public Interest Litigation against the food adulteration, directed the State Government to take the efficient steps in order to prevent the adulterated food in markets.
After perusal of the latest report filed by the authorities, Court said the report does not show that the respondents have conducted random checks or raids with regard to manufacturing of food items of eatables.
Court directed for filing of an additional affidavit mentioning therein the steps taken by the officials to monitor production of different kinds of food items in the State. Court directed that such affidavit be filed within four weeks.
During the course of proceedings in the matter, the court has been informed that despite repeated orders, the authorities have failed on ground as such a lot has to be done by them to prevent the adulterated food from being sold to general public.
Court on perusal of its previous order said the latest report filed is not in tune with its directions. Court on previous hearing had directed the concerned authorities to constantly check the manufacturing of food items as also ensure complete ban of use of antibiotics in the poultries.
State counsel fairly submitted that the State is under an obligation to ensure the implementation of the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and further added that the State Government shall take all positive steps to ensure the implementation of the provisions of the Act.
Concerned Administrative Departments of the State Government were directed to ensure that the regular inspection of bakers shall be undertaken, and to take samples in order to check the ingredients used by them and not to allow them to sell pastry, cakes and loose biscuits without manufacturing and expiry date.
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