Trichy: The deadline of December 31, 2017 to apply for registration and license under Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) has irked the traders in Trichy, where the compliance of the food business operators (FBOs) to the Act was meagre.
Citing Trichy collector K Rajamani's warning of action against the traders a couple of months ago, Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu expressed its displeasure over the deadline and demanded it be extended till March 31, 2018.
"Our association has been protesting against the FSSA act resulting in the postponement of implementation of the Act a few times. The committee formed to remove the unrealistic rules and regulations from the Act is yet to consider our demands. Yet, the deadline for coming under the purview of the Act is set to be over in few days. So, we demand the government to extend the deadline for three months," said state general secretary of the association Ve Govindarajulu in a statement on Wednesday.
Out of the 20,000 FBOs including government run institutions like public distribution system, TASMAC that is to be covered under the Act, only 6,000 traders have turned up for registration and only 800 have applied for licenses according to their turnover.
Designated officer of food safety department in Trichy Dr R Senthilkumar said that the call on the demand for extension of the deadline can only be taken by the government. " One thing FBOs should know is that the Act will give protection to their business if they come under the purview," he added.
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