Jun 9, 2012
City traders protest against amendments
Sporting black badges the traders of steel city under the banner of Jamshedpur Chamber of Commerce on Friday staged protest against the amendments in Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The traders gathered at Golmuri market to show their solidarity.
President of the Jamshedpur Chamber of Commerce, Mohanlal Agarwal said, “The amendments brought in the Act are against the interest of small businessmen.” According to the amendment, every producer and retailer dealing in eatables and grocery would have to avail a licence from the food and drugs control department.
Agarwal went on to say that the amendments in the Act have created confusion among traders across the country. The Union Cabinet had recently approved the amendments which seeks to provide subdised foodgrains to over half of the country’s 1.2 billion population.
Krishi Bazaar Samiti has asked the Union and State Government to take wise steps. The trader’s body chief Deepak Bhalotia said that the amendments brought in the Act are against the interest of small businessmen. According to the amendment, every producer or retailer has to take licence from the food and drugs department.
He said that businessmen around the country are protesting against this Act. Protest against Food Security Act 2006 had greater impact in the city, especially in market. Agrawal said the Bill is “full of inaccuracies and confusion and that the Centre should not encroach into State domain.”
Meanwhile, the district health department has started taking initiatives for enforcing necessary provisions under the Act. The Additional Chief Medical Officer (ACMO) of East Singhbhum, Swarn Singh held a meeting with a few trade outfits earlier this week.
“We are concerned over the situation. We have held talks with a few trade bodies. They have been informed about the legal provisions in the Act. The trade bodies have been asked to spread the message,” said Singh. He said that the health department would soon start mapping of food joints and restaurants and ensure that the provisions of the Act is followed. The Act also envisages that those food units with an annual turnover of less than Rs 12 lakhs will have to be registered, while those having turnover of more than
Rs 12 lakhs per annum will require a licence.
President of the Jamshedpur Chamber of Commerce, Mohanlal Agarwal said, “The amendments brought in the Act are against the interest of small businessmen.” According to the amendment, every producer and retailer dealing in eatables and grocery would have to avail a licence from the food and drugs control department.
Agarwal went on to say that the amendments in the Act have created confusion among traders across the country. The Union Cabinet had recently approved the amendments which seeks to provide subdised foodgrains to over half of the country’s 1.2 billion population.
Krishi Bazaar Samiti has asked the Union and State Government to take wise steps. The trader’s body chief Deepak Bhalotia said that the amendments brought in the Act are against the interest of small businessmen. According to the amendment, every producer or retailer has to take licence from the food and drugs department.
He said that businessmen around the country are protesting against this Act. Protest against Food Security Act 2006 had greater impact in the city, especially in market. Agrawal said the Bill is “full of inaccuracies and confusion and that the Centre should not encroach into State domain.”
Meanwhile, the district health department has started taking initiatives for enforcing necessary provisions under the Act. The Additional Chief Medical Officer (ACMO) of East Singhbhum, Swarn Singh held a meeting with a few trade outfits earlier this week.
“We are concerned over the situation. We have held talks with a few trade bodies. They have been informed about the legal provisions in the Act. The trade bodies have been asked to spread the message,” said Singh. He said that the health department would soon start mapping of food joints and restaurants and ensure that the provisions of the Act is followed. The Act also envisages that those food units with an annual turnover of less than Rs 12 lakhs will have to be registered, while those having turnover of more than
Rs 12 lakhs per annum will require a licence.
High Court gives govt three months to act
Srinagar, June 8: J&K High Court has directed the government to implement Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 and Food Safety and Standard Rules, 2011 within three months.
A division bench comprising justices Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Hasnain Massodi issued the directions on a Public Interest Litigation petition filed by Advocate Sheikh Muhammad Ayoub.
The petition prays for directions to the state to implement the Act and the Rules.
While expressing dissatisfaction over the reply the state has filed, the Division Bench observed “it is not in sync with the court directions.”
Pertinently, the court on March 28, 2012 had directed the government to file compliance report vis-à-vis the steps taken by it to implement the Act and the Rules.
The Court had directed the Divisional Commissioners Kashmir and Jammu, and Commissioner Food Safety J&K to file compliance report within two weeks while issuing notice to the government to file reply to the PIL.
The PIL contends that the food safety issue has a colossal importance and requires to be taken with seriousness.
According to the PIL, Food Safety Act 2006 and Food Safety & Standards Rules of 2011 provide that the post of Commissioner Food Safety should be manned by a person of Commissioner Secretary rank, while in J&K an Incharge Drug Controller has been assigned the job, who “lacks the basic eligibility and qualification.”
“The present incumbent is not competent to hold the post and sanction any prosecution and he is not in a position to take any action against the person found guilty under the Act and Rules” the petition reads.
The petition alleges that the adulterated food items are openly sold and many spices and edibles in the market are unsafe for consumption as the Act and Rules have not been implemented.
Awareness meet on food safety today - THE HINDU
The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in association with the Indian Register of Quality Systems (IRQS) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will hold an awareness programme here on Food Safety and Standards Act and Food Safety Management System on June 9 at the Convention Hall of the GCCI.
The awareness programme is aimed at educating various stakeholders such as food processing units, hotels, restaurants, and so on, with provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Food Safety Management System. The programme will provide participants with basic knowledge of effective implementation of processes, and contribute to the continual performance improvement of the organisation which they represent.
The Act would be implemented strictly and hence it was important that all Goa-based units which deal in various aspects of manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of food be fully aware of the rules and be prepared for its implementation.
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, consolidates various acts and orders that had hitherto handled food-related issues in various ministries and departments. The Act had been created for laying down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)