SMC accuses Radio Kashmir of breach of conduct

'Profiles tainted companies for vested interests’

Srinagar: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has accused Radio Kashmir Srinagar of breach of conduct as it has broadcasted a program sponsored by a tainted company which was fined by the High Court in the case of food adulteration here recently.

After the program was broadcasted by Radio Kashmir on January 14, the Health Officer, SMC has written a letter to the registrar Judicial of the JK High Court pleading to take serious note of the ‘breach of conduct’ of a sub- Judice matter.

The corporations pleaded before the court that the action of the authorities of Radio Kashmir levelled wild allegations against a government institution in the said program with an intention to jeopardize the government stand in the matter.

In a letter to the high court the corporation has alleged that the Director General, Radio Kashmir Bashir Arif seems to have taken some extra personal interest in broad casting the programme as according to the corporation, the director has personally visited the field for interviewing.

Demanding action against the authorities of the Radio Kashmir, SMC said the authorities at the helm of affairs of the prestigious Station is most unfortunate and deplorable and speaks about the functioning of the Radio Kashmir which is supposed to honour and highlight the genuine Public concern of the masses.

It is to mention here that High Court besides fining three companies, had also directed government to give wide publicity in the print and electronic media about the suspected food items so as to create general awareness in the public for non use of these food items.

On January 14, RK broadcasted the program at 9:30 pm sponsored by Kanwal Agro Food Limited-one of the companies which was fined by the High Court in the case of Food adulteration.

On Dec 23, JK High Court had directed three food companies to deposit an amount of 10 crores each with Director Sher-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura within two weeks.

The directions came after petitioners Advocate Sheikh Muhammad Ayoub and TH Khawaja submitted before the court that some spices and milk has been found unsafe by the Central Food laboratory, Kolkatta.

The matter was hear in reference to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding food safety which is already in the court seeking directions to the state for enforcing Food Safety Standards Act, 2006 and rules made there under with reasonable promptitude.

However the apex court stayed the order of JK High Court for four weeks after the companies pleaded that they were not party to the case.