Three-day bandh in MP from today

Food product makers, wholesale dealers and retailers, restaurant owners, supported by pulse processors across the state will observe a three-day bandh in protest against the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2011.
Calling the Act “anti-trade, anti-reform, which will encourage licence and inspector raj in the country,” all retail outlets and eating joints will remain closed for three days starting tomorrow (9th, 10th and 11th April), in protest of the Act.
Speaking to Business Standard, Ramesh Khandelwal, president of MP Food Products Nirmata Avam Vikreta Mahasangh, said, “They want us to prepare an audit report, obtain clearance from state pollution control board, get no-objection certificate from municipal corporation, medical certificates of workers, graduate technologist and a separate audit report made from milk. Is it possible? In a large economy like India, it is impractical. We will observe a three-day bandh from today across the state.” Meanwhile, dal processors association has also supported the protes. Association president Suresh Agrawal has termed the Bill against trade lobby and said it will encourage babus to extract bribe from retailers, small businessmen and manufacturers. “We will fully support the three-day bandh,” said Agrawal.
The traders are opposing separate licence for each enterprise, separate audit reports for various products. For example, the pulse processors are protesting the exemptions available on wholesale of 20 kg packages. They are also protesting the mandatory licencing for micro small entrepreneurs like those who specify grades for foodgrains like wheat.
More importantly, they have strongly opposed the Act for allowing district authorities to fine at their discretion. “This would trigger further corruption and would allow government machinery to harass the processors,” Agrawal said.
“This Bill,” Khandelwal said, “would encourage monopolistic approach of multinational companies and would finish small businessmen, hawkers , street vendors even those who are into wholesale business.” “We want food safety but not at the cost of our business government must improvise the bill in Indian context and revise it further,” he added.