PIL on food adulteration

Govt apprises High Court about setting up of food testing labs

The government has apprised Jammu and Kashmir High court about the steps taken by it for procuring necessary equipments for setting up two food testing laboratories, one each at Srinagar and Jammu. 

Yash Pal Sharma, Managing Director Medical Supplies Corporation informed the Court about the steps taken for procuring necessary equipments for setting up of two food laboratories. 

“In view of the poor response to the earlier NIT, the Corporation has floated fresh NIT and last date for receipt of documents is 26th September, 2016,” Sharma pleaded. 

The Controller Drugs, who was also present, submitted that the posts vacant in the labs have been referred to the Service Selection Board almost one year back saying they have not made any selection till date. The submission was made by the officer in light of the directions passed by the court on June 10. 

Meanwhile, the court arrayed Chairman SSB as party to the PIL and deputy advocate general Hashim Hussain accepted notice on behalf of Board. The court directed the SSB to complete the selection process be the next date of hearing. 

Hearing a PIL against food adulteration, a division bench of Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Ali Muhammad Magrey, however, sought the latest status report by September 29. 

On May 15 this year, Chief Secretary of J&K had admitted before High Court that government has failed to implement Food Safety and Standard Act 2006.

He had assured that without waiting for financial assistance from the central government, funds for setting up technologically advanced laboratories at Jammu and Srinagar would be immediately provided by the State.

He had also assured the court that mobile testing laboratories will be provided to the Food Safety Department and the authorities created in terms of Act of 2006 would also be put in place shortly.

In the report filed by the government it was then stated that two existing labs, one each in Jammu and Srinagar, were outdated and literally non-functional.