Emphasis laid on strict implementation of provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act
State legal Services Authority, UT, Chandigarh, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Punjab and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India organised a Regional Colloquium on Pure Food: A Fundamental Right on Saturday.
The colloquium was inaugurated by Justice AK Sikri, Judge, Supreme Court of India.Judges from the High Courts of Punjab and Haryana, Allahabad, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir, representatives of Centre and State Governments, Judicial Officers and other dignitaries from northern region of the country participated in the colloquium.
The proceedings of the colloquium were also telecast live in the adjoining convention Hall, to enable the Trainee Judicial Officers to have access to the deliberations, for the constraints of space in the auditorium, which was packed to capacity.
Colloquium was necessitated as the provisions of the newly enacted welfare legislature are not thoroughly known to the public and to the officials dealing with the Act, so there was need to sensitise the Officers empowered under the Act and to create awareness to the general public.
Justice AK Sikri emphasised on the strict implementation of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, pure food being a Fundamental Right. He highlighted the double standards of the MNCs, which are preparing the food articles for their respective countries in strict compliance with the Rules and Regulations of the countries, but when it comes to India, these very Companies prepare the adulterated food items.
Justice Ashutosh Mohunta, Acting Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court emphasised that Right to Pure Food has to be considered as fundamental human right and to ensure that Pure Food is available for all, the existing food law has to be strictly enforced.
Justice MM Kumar, Chief Justice, Jammu & Kashmir High Court, emphasized on the need for having a strong legislation as well as regarding setting up necessary infrastructure and trained and dedicated manpower and well equipped to implement the provisions of the Act in their letter and spirit.