'Food Safety Offices in Constituencies Soon'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Food safety offices will be opened in all constituencies before July 30, Health Minister V S Sivakumar told the Assembly on Friday.

“A total of 57 posts has been created in the Food Safety Department recently,” the Minister told the House while the Speaker criticised the lapses in ensuring food safety saying that though steps were taken, no follow ups were done.

“Extensive raids were conducted. Discussions will be held with the officials in the state to test the quality of mangoes coming from Tamil Nadu,” the Minister said.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy also said that various measures were being taken in this regard.

“Six persons have died in the state due to medical negligence after the government came to power,” Sivakumar said, while replying to a question.

“Five persons became disabled due to medical negligence. Action has been taken against fivedoctors for this,” the Minister told the House.

“A total of Rs 1.5 crore has been spent on advertisement as part of the Chief Minister’s mass contact programme,” Minister K C Joseph told the Assembly.

“A total of Rs 70,60,40,464 has been spent on advertisements, both in print and in visual media.

“As many as 22,634 persons have returned from Gulf countries following the implementation of Nitaqat,” he said.

“A legislation named Kerala Real Estate (Development and Regulation) will be made to prevent the fraudulence and violations of law while selling flats and buildings,” Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali told the House.

“For this, a draft Bill is under the government’s consideration. Plans to set up a real estateregulatory authority, real estate authority and a real estate appellate tribunal have been included in the draft Bill.

“The authority will have the power to take decisions on the complaints. Appellate Tribunal will have the power to receive appeals against the decision of the authority. Those having the same status of High Court Judge would be appointed as the Tribunal Chairman. It has been decided to include a clause to punish cheaters even with jail term.,” the Minister said.