The New Delhi high court on Wednesday allowed the Central government’s plea to let its expert committee examine its draft guidelines on regulating the sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around schools across the country.
The court’s order came after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the All India Food Processors’ Association, opposed the draft guidelines of the government and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Manu Singhvi said private agency AC Nielsen QRG-MARG Pvt Ltd, which was engaged by the government for the same, could not be allowed to frame guidelines that would affect the entire nation. He further submitted that “most points in the draft guideline were impractical and vague”.
“At best, AC Nielsen can collect data and assist the Centre but it cannot frame guidelines that will have ramifications across the nation,” Manu Singhvi said. Lambasting the draft guidelines, he said, “One of the guidelines is that the schools should grow vegetables within its premises. Schools today do not have enough space for a playground, how can they grow vegetables,” he said.
The Centre, however, told the Court that it already had a seven-member expert panel in place that could review the guidelines. Representing the government, ASG Rajeev Mehra told the court that the expert committee included members from the government, FSSAI and doctors, and hence would review the draft guidelines within four weeks from now.
The court’s order came after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the All India Food Processors’ Association, opposed the draft guidelines of the government and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Manu Singhvi said private agency AC Nielsen QRG-MARG Pvt Ltd, which was engaged by the government for the same, could not be allowed to frame guidelines that would affect the entire nation. He further submitted that “most points in the draft guideline were impractical and vague”.
“At best, AC Nielsen can collect data and assist the Centre but it cannot frame guidelines that will have ramifications across the nation,” Manu Singhvi said. Lambasting the draft guidelines, he said, “One of the guidelines is that the schools should grow vegetables within its premises. Schools today do not have enough space for a playground, how can they grow vegetables,” he said.
The Centre, however, told the Court that it already had a seven-member expert panel in place that could review the guidelines. Representing the government, ASG Rajeev Mehra told the court that the expert committee included members from the government, FSSAI and doctors, and hence would review the draft guidelines within four weeks from now.
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