SC issues notice on High Court order

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 30

The Supreme Court today issued notices to the respondents, including Registrar General, J&K High Court, in a petition challenging High Court orders asking all food manufacturing/ processing units operating in the region to file an affidavit indicating as to how and in which manner the food manufacturing/ processing units are following the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Act, 2006.

The apex court issued the notices after admitting a special leave petition (SLP) filed by the J&K Traders and Manufacturers Federation, who have challenged the High Court orders dated April 27, 2016.

“The petition was listed today before a Division Bench of the apex court. Issuing notices to the respondents, including the registrar General of the High Court, the Supreme Court has listed the matter for the next week,” a lawyer connected with the case said.

In its April 27 orders, the High Court had also directed the owners/ MDs of food manufacturing/ processing units to provide information about the laboratories set up in their units, the equipment installed there and the number of persons, having expertise in accordance with the Act 2006 and rules made thereunder, and working in such laboratories.

“The members of the petitioner federation are carrying the business of bakery, sweetshops and petty manufacturing works and the past incident regarding food adulterations was in the case of ‘milk’ and ‘spices’ by few companies .Therefore, there is no history to show that the members of the petitioner federation have ever indulged in food adulteration in their respective business,” it has been argued in the petition before the SC. “At this stage, directing these petty business operators to give an undertaking will not only prejudice the rights of the petitioner but also would empower the local food authorities to harass the petitioner,” it is further pleaded.