Port Blair, Sept. 20: The
Deputy Commissioner North & Middle Andaman has observed that, “The
Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Rules 2011 and Regulation 2011 are
being inappropriately and incompletely implemented. There is a need for a
Commissioner Food Safety and Designated Officer as per Law”.
Reliable
sources inform that the Deputy Commissioner North & Middle Andaman
had called up a meeting of the Food Safety Officials of his district and
took stock of the problems for smooth implementation of Food Safety and
Standard Act. The DC has written a Note (UO 8-24/DC(N&MA)
FSSS/12/2401 dated 4th September 2012) to Secretary (Health)
stating that he has been designated as Adjudicating officer under the
same law but cannot exercise his duties due to inappropriate and
incomplete implementation of the Act, which is a grave situation.
He
writes “The Commissioner Food Safety (Director of Health Services),
A&N Administration, Port Blair vide order No. 92 dated 06/06/2011
has appointed the Medical Officer I/C, N&M Andaman, Mayabunder as
the Designated Officer (Licensing Officer) for N&M Andaman District
for a period of 01 year or till a whole time Officer Designated officer
is appointed, whichever is earlier”.
It
revealed that the power conferred on the Medical Officer I/c, N&M
Andaman, Mayabunder as the Designated Officer has already lapsed on
04/08/2012. As per qualification Rule 2.1.2.1 (iii) (b) the additional
charge cannot be held by him from 05/08/2012 and no whole time
Designated Officer is appointed from that date. Thus the Food Licenses
and Registration issued / made by the (earlier), after 05/08/2012 will
be null & void.
The
need now is for a full time Designated Officer to be appointed
immediately. Also the Commissioner of Food Safety (State Food Authority)
should be of the rank of “Commissioner and Secretary” to State
Government may be notified / appointed. But at present the Director of
Health Services has been conferred the power of Commissioner Food
Safety. And therefore the appointment of Commissioner of Food Safety and
Designated Officer is to be appointed as per the provision of the Law.
“I
have been designated as Adjudicating officer under the same law but
cannot exercise my duties due to inappropriate and incompletely
implementation of the Act. Hence your personal attention is sought in
the matter. Submitted please. Sd/- Deputy Commissioner North &
Middle Andaman District.”
It is surprising to learn that the Administration has been simply ignoring the Note of a District Magistrate.
Inappropriately
and incomplete implemented Food Safety and Standards Act has rendered
the enforcement officials powerless that will help learned criminals to
escape on technical ground. Huge amount of salaries paid out of
government exchequer is being wasted. There are no regulations to help
good business people to carryout food business as some who do
malpractices, practice fearlessly. And in the absences of any properly
implemented regulations the consumer interests also remains unprotected.
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Sep 21, 2012
Inappropriate and Incomplete Implementation of Food Safety & Standards Act, DC N&M
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