Check sale, stocking of pan masala, gutka

Police should see to it that such items are not available

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the State government to take steps to seize and destroy pan masala and gutkha containing tobacco and nicotine after June 15 in terms of a government order banning manufacture, sale, and distribution of these items in the State.

The Bench comprising Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair and Justice C.K. Abdul Rehim issued the directive while disposing of a public interest writ petition in this regard.

The court directed the State government to take steps to check the clandestine stocking and sale of the banned pan masala and gutkha after June 15. Government agencies, including the police, should ensure that such prohibited items would no longer be available in the State.

Meanwhile, Justice T.R. Ramachandran Nair referred to a Division Bench a writ petition filed by the manufacturers challenging the ban order in view of the public interest involved in the case.

The government in an affidavit said the ban order had been issued in the interest of public safety and health. It said the question of giving the manufacturers an opportunity of hearing did not arise as the order had been issued under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.

Needs to enforce Food Safety and Standard Act

JAMMU: All J and K Movement for Peace and Justice criticised the ongoing campaign of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) i.e to impress the authorities against the implementation of Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 and also termed it total illogical in view of bulk sale of eatable sub standards in the country.
While addressing the press conference here on Thursday, movement member, Deep Singh said that in view of large scale unchecked adulteration and the deteriorating conditions of eatables, such an Act was need to be enforced fifteen years back. It is quite surprising that our business community which is also a part of system and while ignoring its duties towards the nation seems self forced always, Singh further added. Before opposing the entry of multi-national companies into retail business of India, business organisations like Confederation of All India Tenders (CAIT) and Jammu Chamber of Commerce should stress up on their members against the unfair practice and support the government for reforms as improvement in the internal system can only create a cordial atmosphere and will help in restraining the foreign investment, he further expressed.

Implement Food Safety, Standard Act 2006: Singh

JAMMU, June 14: All J&K Movement for Peace and Justice today opposed the demand of some organizations that much delayed Food Safety & Standards Act 2006 be kept in abeyance for five years.
Talking to reporters here today Deep Singh a prominent member of the Movement said that any more delay towards the Act will prove suicidal. The issue is of great concern and the illogical demand of some organizations to keep the much delayed Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 for five years is anti people.
He said in view of large scale unchecked adulteration and the deteriorating condition of eatables such an Act should have been enforced over 15 years back and the people including the members of business fraternity should have openly supported the Act as adulteration has led to many fatal diseases and is going to spell a doom. He sought cooperation of all in demanding the implementation of the Act.
He said that some people are demanding that Act be kept in abeyance for their own interests ignoring the cause of general public. He said earlier the effective campaign of CAPD was also sabotaged which has decided to fix the day today rates of fruits and vegetables in Jammu over three years back.
Singh said the weak laws on adulteration, black marketing and hoarding are posing a threat to human survival and need to be replaced by strong laws immediately.