Apr 11, 2012

Nagpur bench of Bombay HC asks VTA, NRHA to withdraw PIL against FSSAI

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, on Tuesday, asked the Nagpur-based Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) and Nagpur Residential Hotels Association (NRHA) to withdraw the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by them against the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The two bodies had filed a PIL seeking the court's assistance in withdrawing certain "unconstitutional" clauses in the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 (FSSA 2006), and the Food Safety & Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011.

The PIL had alleged that the Authority did not consult the affecting parties before enacting the Act. Also, the implementation of the Act in the present form, could prove to be a breeding ground for corruption and Inspector Raj, it said.

However, the court asked for certain circumstantial evidence to substantiate such
allegations.

"It will be difficult for us to get such documents but we are going to file again as the High Court has withdrawn the PIL by giving the liberty to file again. If the court is still not satisfied, we may think of challenging the Order in the Supreme Court," said Tejinder
Singh Renu, secretary, VTA and NHRA.

Strike in Ratlam
Meanwhile, a trade body from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, has announced a three-day strike against "far-fetched" clauses of the FSSA. This seems to be among the series of agitations that the country has witnessed in recent times against the Aug 5, 2011, implementation of the law.

While the Authority has been promising to review the law, campaigns are intensifying in states like Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

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