With the government holding consultations for a comprehensive review of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the deadline for obtaining licence or securing registration by food business operators (FBOs) under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011,round the corner, top level churning has begun at the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
K Chandramouli has relinquished the post of chairman of FSSAI while advisor Sanjay Dave has moved to parent organisation department of trade and commerce. Interestingly, the apex food authority’s CEO Y S Malik is also relatively new. He took office just three months ago.
With Chandramouli stepping down following his term coming to an end, senior IAS officer Lov Verma has been given additional charge of chairperson, FSSAI.
Verma, a 1978 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, is currently serving the Union health ministry as secretary, department of health and family welfare.
According to an order released by department of personnel & training (DoPT), on January 23, consequent upon relinquishment of charge of the post of chairperson of FSSAI, with effect from Jan 23 by K Chandramouli former secretary, health, and IAS officer of UP cadre, the competent authority has approved the assignment of additional charge of chairperson, FSSAI, to Lov Verma for a period of three months with immediate effect.
Chandramouli joined FSSAI as chairman on Jan 27, 2012. Verma would be there till April and he would be leading the Authority in its most important task of comprehensive review after which a bill would be created to upgrade the existing FSS Act of 2006.
However, there are chances of him being given complete charge of FSSAI after April this year as he is 59-year-old and due for superannuation.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Dave who spearheaded the task of harmonisation of Indian standards with Codex international norms and was advisor to FSSAI, has just concluded his stint with the apex food body and moved back to department of commerce where he will be joining APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority).
Upon his going to APEDA, the charge of enforcement and surveillance has once again come to Bimal Kumar Dubey who is also handling food imports.
Apart from these developments, according to sources, in few months from now, many other senior director level officers’ tenure with FSSAI is coming to an end. By April and June, at least three more officials’ tenure will end. There may be large-scale rejig wherein a totally new team might emerge else all the officials concerned could be given extension.
The industry, meanwhile, wants a stable and friendly authority which would pay heed to their concerns. Some of the industry players remained cautious while waiting before the new dispensation takes shape.
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