The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to draft guidelines to regulate the sale of junk food and aerated drinks in schools across the country within ten days.
The court was hearing a PIl filed by Rakesh Prabhakar, a lawyer for NGO ‘Uday Foundation’, seeking a direction banning sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around schools. The court, while setting the deadline, told the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), “No further extension will be given.” The division bench of Acting Chief Justice BD Ahmed and Justice Vibhu Bakhru termed the non-filing of draft guidelines by the Centre as “unfortunate.” Earlier, Additional Solicitor General Rajeeve Mehra had assured the court that the draft guidelines would be filed by July, this year.
“Earlier, this Court had recorded that the draft guidelines would be filed on July 24. Unfortunately, the draft guidelines are not ready. Now, the counsel for the Centre states that the draft guidelines would be ready within ten days. let it be filed within ten days,” said the bench while fixing the case for September 4. “It is expected that parties shall adhere to this timeline and no extension would be given by this Court,” it said adding that the Centre would share the report with other stakeholders, who will also give their suggestions or comments on the issue. Earlier, the Centre had said that private firm AC Nielsen QRG-MARG Pvt ltd was in the process of framing norms to regulate availability of junk foods and carbonated drinks within 500 yards of schools. It had also said that after the draft guidelines were prepared, the food processing companies would be consulted for their opinions and then the final guidelines would be made.