Let the system be free of paranoia, victimization

The government should create right incentives in the market for its smooth functioning both directly as well as through its regulatory agencies. But what we have seen in the recent Kanwal adulteration issue is diametrically opposite to that.

First, when the allegation of adulteration on this company was made, instead of verifying the allegation SMC out rightly started blaming and maligning the reputation of the company’ products. It appears that the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and rules/regulation 2011 which has laid down detailed and well defined methods for lifting/analysis of food samples, were not taken care of.

Rather than following the procedure, various provisions of the Act  like section 47(1)(a) and rule 2.4.1(3) & (4) which bounds a Food Safety Officer to serve the notice to the food business operator and manufacturer for lifting of food sample; second, under section 47(1) (b) and rule 2.4.1(10) (i) & (ii) the food safety officer is required to lift four parts of sample, weighing 500gms each having same batch number; and, third, under section 47(c) (iii) and rules 2.4.1 (10) (iii) the food safety officer is required to send the fourth part of the sample to the accredited laboratory on the request of Food Business Operator, were not followed.

The allegations were made by SMC based on the laboratory tests conducted at Kolkata. The proper course of action should have been to start an inquiry into the matter and wait for the results of referral laboratory designated by the FSSAI vide its order issued on 31st of July 2013. In case the accusations stood correct strict action should have been taken against the defaulters.

However instead of doing that government went on an overdrive to blame. This was quickly upped up by the “experts” on social media without verifying the detail. The net result has been creation of paranoia about the whole issue. This unresponsive and unreasonable way of dealing with this ‘local issue’ should be bemoaned and strongly condemned.

SMC, which has miserably failed in delivering the basic services, has unnecessarily started framing, defaming and discouraging local entrepreneurs.  A corporation which has wretchedly failed to scientifically deal with the chaos of dogs and dust, dirt and Dal has started unnecessarily hammering our future economy sources. Destroying the potential of our ‘radical and revolutionary entrepreneurs’ at the behest of some kleptocrats unfortunately can be a harbinger of an economic doom and a perilous future. Creating an atmosphere of unfair rules, inimical to innovations and creativity will certainly take us back to stone ages.

  Certain individuals who have dared to unleash a new dawn of inventions and innovations in a conflict ravaged state deserve every kind of support. The conditions in which they operate, the environment in which they do business is somewhat we all should be appreciative.  SMC, rather than slandering any successful local innovative company which otherwise has received great compliments for quality, innovativeness and delivery should also learn to appreciate other such radical firms. We should not undermine the fact that Kanwal Spices in a short span of thirty five years is competing globally with big giants.

A firm which started as a local Kashmir venture now represents Kashmir innovations successfully at a global platform. This factory of ‘traditiovations’ is continuously and successfully blending the culture and tradition of Kashmir with science and technology. What started as a small mill with modest financial and human resources on the banks of river Jhelum has turned out as a successful innovative venture (grassroots to global) with more than 100 crores of annual turnover.

 If one compares such ventures with our state firms, not only do we observe the depressing results and figures but also the pathetic condition of workers and firms too. The need of the hour is thus to stop creating paranoia and not allow mobocracy to rule the roost. It is a serious matter which should be handled with great degree of responsibility.

Now the matter is in the people’s court, we as usual will wait for the best judgment which will be in the larger interests of the people of the state and also for the local innovators.