Citizen rights awareness in Kohima

The team from Kohima Law College with others.

Kohima, August 29 (MExN): A team of students from Kohima Law College led by Professor-in-Charge Kezhokhoto Savi conducted citizen rights awareness at Konyak Baptist Church, Kohima on August 27. The team, which consisted of Tekalong Jamir, Paiwang Konyak, Kelengu-u Rutsa, Peter Rana, Aliba Ozukum, P. Mhonbeni Ezung, and Ayeho Sumi, covered various topics such as National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013, RTI, Lokayukta, Consumer Awareness, Food Safety & Standard Act 2006, Child Protection, and Human Rights.

On Food Safety & Standard Act (FSSA) 2006, the team presented that over the years the need for change and modification of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954 & Rules 1955 was felt and thus the Food Safety and standard Act 2006 was made for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of food, to ensure safe and wholesome food for human consumption. “This is an Act to ensure prevention of fraudulent, deceptive or unfair trade practices which may harm the ‘Consumer’ and unsafe, contaminated or sub-standard food.” In implementing the Act, the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) was constituted on September 5, 2008.

The FSSA was implemented in Nagaland in 2012 and accordingly the State government has prohibited the preparation, sale, exposure for sale of unsafe food items, including imported foods in the state.

The team further stressed that it is every citizen’s right and duty as a consumer to question the distributor of food as every consumer is buying for consumption. “Food safety means an assurance that the food is acceptable for human consumption according to its intended and standard means the relation to any article of food as in the standard notified by the Food Authority,” they stated.

For further query, the release asked consumers to call Nagaland State Consumer Helpline Toll Free No. 1800-345-3701 or visit the office situated at Old Nagaland State Legislative Assembly building, Kohima during office hour.