Jun 7, 2013
1 week after ban, gutka is openly sold in shops
BANGALORE: A week after the Karnataka government banned the sale and consumption of gutka, the tobacco product is openly available in Bangalore and rest of Karnataka.
A reality check by TOI on Thursday indicates that the implementation of gutka ban is more challenging than initially thought. The move is hobbled by lack of awareness about the ban and related guidelines. Many shop owners said they haven't received any directive on the ban and what it means. Records state that the government issued gutka ban guidelines on June 1, but district administrations like Dharwad claimed they're yet to receive it. Effective implementation of the ban is important as Karnataka has to file a compliance report before the Supreme Court by June 23.
Health and family welfare principal secretary M Madan Gopal had a different take. The officer told TOI he couldn't find gutka in several areas of Bangalore he visited to see if the ban had been enforced. "If shops are found selling gutka, food safety officers will immediately raid them, seize the stock, and revoke his trading licence," he said.
The health and family welfare department has decided to seek the help of police force to implement the ban. Gopal said district surveillance officers had been redeployed as district designated officers to supervise ban enforcement.
A reality check by TOI on Thursday indicates that the implementation of gutka ban is more challenging than initially thought. The move is hobbled by lack of awareness about the ban and related guidelines. Many shop owners said they haven't received any directive on the ban and what it means. Records state that the government issued gutka ban guidelines on June 1, but district administrations like Dharwad claimed they're yet to receive it. Effective implementation of the ban is important as Karnataka has to file a compliance report before the Supreme Court by June 23.
Health and family welfare principal secretary M Madan Gopal had a different take. The officer told TOI he couldn't find gutka in several areas of Bangalore he visited to see if the ban had been enforced. "If shops are found selling gutka, food safety officers will immediately raid them, seize the stock, and revoke his trading licence," he said.
The health and family welfare department has decided to seek the help of police force to implement the ban. Gopal said district surveillance officers had been redeployed as district designated officers to supervise ban enforcement.
Business as usual as shops flout ban
The Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, prescribes a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh if anyone is found manufacturing, selling, storing or distributing products "with an adulterant that is injurious to health". If the adulterant is not injurious to health, the penalty is Rs 2 lakh. If a buyer dies after consuming the tobacco product, then the seller and/or manufacturer could face a jail term of seven years or life term.
A health expert associated with the Tobacco-Free Karnataka campaign suggested a three-pronged formula to effectively implement the ban: "Raid manufacturing companies and choke the supply route; district administrations must keep hawk's eye on retail shops; and hold de-addiction camps and awareness programmes so that gutka consumers don't switch to cigarettes and beedis."
KR Market
Shop owners in and around KR Market expressed their anger over the ban. "Gutka sales are as profitable as cigarette sales for small shop-owners like us. The government should have asked gutka manufacturing companies to ensure no harmful materials are used in it. A blanket ban will harm many lives dependent on this," said Akram Khan, a shop owner. Many others supported him and said they will continue sales till existing stocks get over. Many shops displayed rows of gutka sachets of different brands.
Basavanagudi
Afew metres from the Government PU College near Tagore Circle, a corner shop located was bustling with customers. When asked about gutka sachets, the shop owner, a senior citizen, put her hands below a table nearby and took out two packets of different brands. She had no clue about the ban. Neither did customers who buy these sachets from her. A few metres ahead, towards Gandhi Bazaar Main Road, there was another shop where rows of gutka sachets were hanging near the door. When asked about the ban, the shop owner said he was aware of it but said he hasn't received orders to stop selling these products. "I know the sale will not be allowed in the near future. But as of now, no authority has issued orders to shop owners about this. The state government should clearly inform the shop owners from when the sale should be stopped," he added.
Shivajinagar
Charging premium for gutka sachets was common in many shops here. Shop owners were aware that the product will soon be off the market and hence wanted to make the most of the available stock. A gutka packet which usually cost Rs 4 was priced at Rs 10. "We're aware of the ban. But government has no directive as to when the shops should stop selling gutka. We want to clear the stock. And when there is demand, the price will automatically go up," said a shop owner on Church Street.
Koramangala
In many areas here, the sale was restricted to inner lanes and owners of shops on the main roads said they were not selling gutka. Ramachandra K, a regular consumer, said he had no problem getting packets through the day. "If you pay some extra money to the shop owner, you will get any brand of gutka without any difficulty," he added. A shop owner said he found more users of cigarettes than gutka products and if the government had to ban, it should be cigarettes first. "From the shop-owner's point of view, the government should have consulted all stakeholders before going ahead with ban. Even after the ban is implemented, there are many ways for both customers and sellers to get on with business," he said. A nearby shop owner added he sells as many as 300 packets of gutka every day and has six brands on sale.
Rajajinagar
Shops in Rajajinagar didn't display gutka packets openly. However, when customers asked for it, show owners had no qualms in selling them. "A police official came to my store on Wednesday and asked me to stop selling gutka packets. I read about the ban in newspapers but my contention is that there's no clarity on the whole issue. The debate on the ban continues till date. What if the government revokes the ban in future?" said Raman Lal, a shopowner. He said the demand for gutka packets continues till late night as cab drivers of tech companies come to buy them.
Times View
A week after the state government banned sale of gutka, it's obviously not followed it up with action on the ground. Gutka is freely available across the state, and traders are oblivious to the fact that they are selling a banned product. It also means that supply is continuing smoothly. Though the government claims the guidelines are clear, officials implementing the ban are yet to receive them. Clearly, there's a communication gap. If the government is serious about complying with the Supreme Court order, officials should be out on the streets, implementing the ban.
The Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, prescribes a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh if anyone is found manufacturing, selling, storing or distributing products "with an adulterant that is injurious to health". If the adulterant is not injurious to health, the penalty is Rs 2 lakh. If a buyer dies after consuming the tobacco product, then the seller and/or manufacturer could face a jail term of seven years or life term.
A health expert associated with the Tobacco-Free Karnataka campaign suggested a three-pronged formula to effectively implement the ban: "Raid manufacturing companies and choke the supply route; district administrations must keep hawk's eye on retail shops; and hold de-addiction camps and awareness programmes so that gutka consumers don't switch to cigarettes and beedis."
KR Market
Shop owners in and around KR Market expressed their anger over the ban. "Gutka sales are as profitable as cigarette sales for small shop-owners like us. The government should have asked gutka manufacturing companies to ensure no harmful materials are used in it. A blanket ban will harm many lives dependent on this," said Akram Khan, a shop owner. Many others supported him and said they will continue sales till existing stocks get over. Many shops displayed rows of gutka sachets of different brands.
Basavanagudi
Afew metres from the Government PU College near Tagore Circle, a corner shop located was bustling with customers. When asked about gutka sachets, the shop owner, a senior citizen, put her hands below a table nearby and took out two packets of different brands. She had no clue about the ban. Neither did customers who buy these sachets from her. A few metres ahead, towards Gandhi Bazaar Main Road, there was another shop where rows of gutka sachets were hanging near the door. When asked about the ban, the shop owner said he was aware of it but said he hasn't received orders to stop selling these products. "I know the sale will not be allowed in the near future. But as of now, no authority has issued orders to shop owners about this. The state government should clearly inform the shop owners from when the sale should be stopped," he added.
Shivajinagar
Charging premium for gutka sachets was common in many shops here. Shop owners were aware that the product will soon be off the market and hence wanted to make the most of the available stock. A gutka packet which usually cost Rs 4 was priced at Rs 10. "We're aware of the ban. But government has no directive as to when the shops should stop selling gutka. We want to clear the stock. And when there is demand, the price will automatically go up," said a shop owner on Church Street.
Koramangala
In many areas here, the sale was restricted to inner lanes and owners of shops on the main roads said they were not selling gutka. Ramachandra K, a regular consumer, said he had no problem getting packets through the day. "If you pay some extra money to the shop owner, you will get any brand of gutka without any difficulty," he added. A shop owner said he found more users of cigarettes than gutka products and if the government had to ban, it should be cigarettes first. "From the shop-owner's point of view, the government should have consulted all stakeholders before going ahead with ban. Even after the ban is implemented, there are many ways for both customers and sellers to get on with business," he said. A nearby shop owner added he sells as many as 300 packets of gutka every day and has six brands on sale.
Rajajinagar
Shops in Rajajinagar didn't display gutka packets openly. However, when customers asked for it, show owners had no qualms in selling them. "A police official came to my store on Wednesday and asked me to stop selling gutka packets. I read about the ban in newspapers but my contention is that there's no clarity on the whole issue. The debate on the ban continues till date. What if the government revokes the ban in future?" said Raman Lal, a shopowner. He said the demand for gutka packets continues till late night as cab drivers of tech companies come to buy them.
Times View
A week after the state government banned sale of gutka, it's obviously not followed it up with action on the ground. Gutka is freely available across the state, and traders are oblivious to the fact that they are selling a banned product. It also means that supply is continuing smoothly. Though the government claims the guidelines are clear, officials implementing the ban are yet to receive them. Clearly, there's a communication gap. If the government is serious about complying with the Supreme Court order, officials should be out on the streets, implementing the ban.
Chandramouli appointment challenged; arbitrary practices led to losses
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under
fire. A Ghaziabad- based NGO Lok Jagriti has filed a Public Interest
Litigation (PIL) on May 29, 2013, challenging the appointment of K
Chandramouli as chairperson of the Authority citing the reason that he
did not fulfil the eligibility criteria for the post as desired under
Section 5 of the FSS Act.
Under Section 5 (3) of FSS Act, the chairperson shall be appointed by the Central Government from amongst the persons of eminence in the field of food science or from amongst the persons from the administration who have been associated with the subject and is either holding or has held the position of not below the rank of secretary to the Government of India.
The petition says that the present chairman has no experience in food safety / food science and technology as prescribed under the FSS Act.
Additional charge
Further, Chandramouli has been given the additional charge of CEO since last December when the position fell vacant after former CEO S N Mohanty left the Authority.
According to the PIL, there was a case of conflict of interest as he held the position of CEO of the Authority alongside of chairperson, which has been lying vacant since December 2012, and this violated Section 5 (5) of the FSS Act. The said section says that the chairperson or members other than ex-officio members of the Authority shall not hold any other office.
The petition also criticised the health ministry for failing to take appropriate action for filling the vacant post of CEO.
Meanwhile, the High Court has directed the ministry of health and others to respond by August 17.
Misgovernance
Lok Jagriti’s Santosh Mishara said, “The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is a bold and modern Act which was passed after taking into consideration the requirements of ensuring nutrition and hygiene, discarding unsafe food, and ensuring safe storage, transportation and delivery practices.”
“But, the various misgovernance issues in enforcement of the Act by the FSSAI are threatening public health. Further such food import was allowed for which no Indian standards were available,” he stated.
Closing of lab
He charged that the Central Food Laboratory at Ghaziabad, also a referral laboratory under the Act, was closed down due to the highhandedness of the chairperson of FSSAI, leading to chaos as private labs started thriving and charging exorbitant rates for simple testing of food articles. The closure, actually, requires approval of the board of the food authority.
The laboratory was to be strengthened and upgraded as National Science Risk Assessment Centre (NASRAC) for which a proposal was approved by the Food Authority Board in its 8th meeting in 2011, and was forwarded by the health ministry to the Planning Commission for suitable grant in the 12th Plan. The sub- group on drugs and health constituted by the Planning Commission has recommended an outlay of Rs 155 crore for upgradation of the laboratory.
Questionable actions
Mishara alleged that the present chairman of FSSAI in connivance with senior government officials got the CEO, FSSAI, transferred, who left the job within six months of appointment (from May to Dec 2012).
Meanwhile, the petition says that the irregular and arbitrary practices adopted by the chairperson are causing huge losses to the public exchequer and is also great impediment in functioning of the structural authorities provided under the FSS Act.
The petition adds that the chairperson, by issuing certain advisories, which otherwise are dehors the procedure, as he is not legally authorised to issue, has played with the health of the people by allowing certain additives in imported food and nutrition products which, otherwise till date, have not been allowed or safety of which has not been ascertained by the Scientific Panel constituted under this Act.
“The resultant anarchy has seriously jeopardised the health of the public and consumers and thus the safety and standards envisaged under the Act, are a far cry,” says the petition.
Licensing extension
He being the person having no prior experience or knowledge of food sciences does not seem to understand the repercussions his arbitrary actions will have on the whole food regime of this country, states the petition.
The petition charged that the extension of last date for acquiring licensing and ensuring registration of FBOs had caused huge revenue losses to the exchequer. The delay will cause a loss of about Rs 1,500 crore in terms of licensing fees, and Rs 500 crore of registration fees, which is required to be collected for operating the food business for one year only, it stated.
Under Section 5 (3) of FSS Act, the chairperson shall be appointed by the Central Government from amongst the persons of eminence in the field of food science or from amongst the persons from the administration who have been associated with the subject and is either holding or has held the position of not below the rank of secretary to the Government of India.
The petition says that the present chairman has no experience in food safety / food science and technology as prescribed under the FSS Act.
Additional charge
Further, Chandramouli has been given the additional charge of CEO since last December when the position fell vacant after former CEO S N Mohanty left the Authority.
According to the PIL, there was a case of conflict of interest as he held the position of CEO of the Authority alongside of chairperson, which has been lying vacant since December 2012, and this violated Section 5 (5) of the FSS Act. The said section says that the chairperson or members other than ex-officio members of the Authority shall not hold any other office.
The petition also criticised the health ministry for failing to take appropriate action for filling the vacant post of CEO.
Meanwhile, the High Court has directed the ministry of health and others to respond by August 17.
Misgovernance
Lok Jagriti’s Santosh Mishara said, “The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is a bold and modern Act which was passed after taking into consideration the requirements of ensuring nutrition and hygiene, discarding unsafe food, and ensuring safe storage, transportation and delivery practices.”
“But, the various misgovernance issues in enforcement of the Act by the FSSAI are threatening public health. Further such food import was allowed for which no Indian standards were available,” he stated.
Closing of lab
He charged that the Central Food Laboratory at Ghaziabad, also a referral laboratory under the Act, was closed down due to the highhandedness of the chairperson of FSSAI, leading to chaos as private labs started thriving and charging exorbitant rates for simple testing of food articles. The closure, actually, requires approval of the board of the food authority.
The laboratory was to be strengthened and upgraded as National Science Risk Assessment Centre (NASRAC) for which a proposal was approved by the Food Authority Board in its 8th meeting in 2011, and was forwarded by the health ministry to the Planning Commission for suitable grant in the 12th Plan. The sub- group on drugs and health constituted by the Planning Commission has recommended an outlay of Rs 155 crore for upgradation of the laboratory.
Questionable actions
Mishara alleged that the present chairman of FSSAI in connivance with senior government officials got the CEO, FSSAI, transferred, who left the job within six months of appointment (from May to Dec 2012).
Meanwhile, the petition says that the irregular and arbitrary practices adopted by the chairperson are causing huge losses to the public exchequer and is also great impediment in functioning of the structural authorities provided under the FSS Act.
The petition adds that the chairperson, by issuing certain advisories, which otherwise are dehors the procedure, as he is not legally authorised to issue, has played with the health of the people by allowing certain additives in imported food and nutrition products which, otherwise till date, have not been allowed or safety of which has not been ascertained by the Scientific Panel constituted under this Act.
“The resultant anarchy has seriously jeopardised the health of the public and consumers and thus the safety and standards envisaged under the Act, are a far cry,” says the petition.
Licensing extension
He being the person having no prior experience or knowledge of food sciences does not seem to understand the repercussions his arbitrary actions will have on the whole food regime of this country, states the petition.
The petition charged that the extension of last date for acquiring licensing and ensuring registration of FBOs had caused huge revenue losses to the exchequer. The delay will cause a loss of about Rs 1,500 crore in terms of licensing fees, and Rs 500 crore of registration fees, which is required to be collected for operating the food business for one year only, it stated.
Sale of gutka, pan masala banned in Salem district
Shopkeepers will not be allowed to sell these products from Friday
Sale of gutka, panmasala and any other food product containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients is banned in the district from Friday.
At the first district level meeting to discuss the modalities for effective implementation of the ban, it was decided to create awareness among the public and the shopkeepers about the ill-affects of consuming tobacco.
Shopkeepers would be asked not to sell the banned products from Friday. Inspections would be carried out from June 26 for effective implementation of the ban in the district.
District Collector K. Maharabushanam is the chairperson of the committee. City Police Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, District Revenue Officer, Deputy Director of Health Services, Chief Educational Officer, District Social Welfare Officer, Corporation Commissioner, District Commercial Tax Officer, Regional Transport Officers — Salem East, Salem West, Attur and Sankagiri, and Commissioners of Municipality, are the members.
The District Designated Officer of Food Safety Department T. Anuradha is the convener of the committee who would inspect the manufacturing units, storage godowns, and initiate legal action against violators.
The role and responsibilities of each committee member were explained and they were asked to adhere to the guidelines.
According to 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients.
According to Section 30 (a) (2) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, they are banned in the State.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) A.G. Babu, District Social Welfare Officer Anbu and other officials too were present.
At the first district level meeting to discuss the modalities for effective implementation of the ban, it was decided to create awareness among the public and the shopkeepers about the ill-affects of consuming tobacco.
Shopkeepers would be asked not to sell the banned products from Friday. Inspections would be carried out from June 26 for effective implementation of the ban in the district.
District Collector K. Maharabushanam is the chairperson of the committee. City Police Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, District Revenue Officer, Deputy Director of Health Services, Chief Educational Officer, District Social Welfare Officer, Corporation Commissioner, District Commercial Tax Officer, Regional Transport Officers — Salem East, Salem West, Attur and Sankagiri, and Commissioners of Municipality, are the members.
The District Designated Officer of Food Safety Department T. Anuradha is the convener of the committee who would inspect the manufacturing units, storage godowns, and initiate legal action against violators.
The role and responsibilities of each committee member were explained and they were asked to adhere to the guidelines.
According to 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients.
According to Section 30 (a) (2) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, they are banned in the State.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) A.G. Babu, District Social Welfare Officer Anbu and other officials too were present.
24–ந் தேதிக்கு மேல் குட்கா–பான்மசாலா விற்பனை செய்பவர்கள் மீது உணவு பாதுகாப்பு சட்டத்தின் படி நடவடிக்கை கலெக்டர் மகரபூஷணம் தகவல்
சேலம்
வருகிற 24–ந் தேதிக்கு மேல் குட்கா,
பான்மசாலா விற்பனை செய்பவர்கள் மீது உணவு பாதுகாப்பு சட்டத்தின் படி
கடுமையான நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும் என்று கலெக்டர் மகரபூஷணம் தெரிவித்தார்.
ஆலோசனை கூட்டம்
சேலம் மாவட்டத்தில் குட்கா, பான்மசாலா
போன்ற பொருட்களின் விற்பனை, நுகர்வோரின் தடை செய்வது குறித்த ஆலோசனை
கூட்டம் நேற்று கலெக்டர் அலுவலகத்தில் நடந்தது. கூட்டத்துக்கு மாவட்ட
கலெக்டர் மகரபூஷணம் தலைமை தாங்கினார். இந்த கூட்டத்தில் சேலம் மாவட்டத்தில்
குட்கா மற்றும் பான்மசாலா போன்ற பொருட்களை தடை செய்யும் பொருட்டு மாவட்ட
அளவிலான குழு அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
இந்த குழுவின் தலைவராக மாவட்ட கலெக்டர்
உள்ளார். குழுவில் போலீஸ் கமிஷனர், போலீஸ் சூப்பிரண்டு, வருவாய் அதிகாரி,
சுகாதார பணிகள் துணை இயக்குனர், மாநகராட்சி ஆணையர், உள்பட பலர்
நியமிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர். குழுவின் ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளராக உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை
நியமன அலுவலர் உள்ளார்.
24–ந் தேதிக்குள்
கூட்டத்தில் கலெக்டர் மகரபூஷணம் பேசியதாவது:–
கடந்த மாதம் 23–ந் தேதி முதல் பான்மசாலா,
குட்கா போன்ற பொருட்களை தமிழகத்தில் விற்பதற்கும் பயன்படுத்துவதற்கும் தடை
விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. விற்பனையாளர்கள் தாங்கள் இருப்பு வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதை
வருகிற 24–ந் தேதிக்குள் அகற்றிட வேண்டும்.
நாளை(இன்று) முதல் நாளை முதல் குட்கா
பான்மசாலா போன்ற பொருட்களை விற்பனை செய்யும் கடைகளில் ஆய்வு செய்யப்படும்.
இருப்பு வைத்திருக்கும் கடைகளுக்கு எச்சரிக்கை கடிதம் வழங்கப்படும். வட்டார
போக்குவரத்து அலுவலர்கள் மூலம் வாகன ஓட்டுநர்களுக்கு இதுகுறித்து
விழிப்புணர்வு ஏற்படுத்தப்படும்.
பள்ளி–கல்லூரி
கல்வித்துறையின் மூலம் பள்ளி மற்றும்
கல்லூரி முதல்வர்கள் அடங்கிய ஆலோசனை கூட்டம் ஏற்பாடு செய்யப்பட்டு மாணவ
மாணவியர்களுக்கு தகுந்த அளவிற்கு விழிப்புணர்வுகள் வழங்கப்படும்.
மாநகராட்சி பகுதியிலுள்ள அனைத்து கடைகளும் தொடர்ந்து ஆய்வு செய்யப்பட்டு
விற்பனைக்கு தடை விதிக்க அறிவுறுத்தப்படும்.
வருகிற 24–ந்தேதிக்கு மேல் கடைகளில்
குட்கா பான்மசாலா போன்ற பொருட்களை விற்பனை செய்தாலோ, பொதுமக்கள் இதுபோன்ற
பொருட்களை பயன்படுத்தினாலோ அவர்கள் மீது உணவு பாதுகாப்பு சட்டத்தின் படி
கடுமையான நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும்.
இவ்வாறு அவர் பேசினார்.
விழுப்புரம் வணிகர்களுக்கு 1 மாதம் கால அவகாசம் பான்மசாலா, குட்கா தடை கலெக்டர் உத்தரவு
விழுப்புரம், ஜூன் 7:
பான்மசாலா,
குட்கா போன்ற மெல்லும் போதை பொருட்களுக்கு தமிழக அரசு தடை விதித்துள்ளது.
தடையை அமல்படுத்துவது குறித்த ஒருங்கிணைப்பு குழு கூட்டம் ஆட்சியர் சம்பத்
தலைமையில் நடந்தது. இதில் கலந்து கொண்டு அவர் பேசுகையில், பான் மசாலா,
குட்கா, பான்பராக், புகை யிலை மற்றும் நிக்கோடின் கலந்த உணவு பொருட்கள்
உற்பத்தி, சேமிப்பு, விற்பனை ஆகியவற்றுக்கு தமிழக அரசு தடை விதித்துள்ளது.
28&05&13ம் தேதி அர சாணை வெளியிடப்பட் டது. எனவே அர சாணை வெளியான
நாளில் இருந்து 1 மாத காலத்துக்குள் பான்மசாலா மற்றும் நிக்கோடின் கலந்த
உணவு பொருட்களை அப்புறப் படுத்த கால அவகாசம் அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
தடையை
மீறுபவர்களின் பொருட்கள் பறி முதல் செய்யப்பட்டு சட்டப்படி நடவடிக்கை
எடுக்கப்படும். தடை செய்யப்பட்ட பொருட்களை பயன்படுத்துவதால் வாய்
புற்றுநோய், குடல்புற்று நோய்கள் ஏற்படுகிறது. 10 பேரில் ஒருவர்
புற்றுநோயால் இறக்கின்றார். எஸ்பி, மாவட்ட வருவாய் அலுவலர், துணை
இயக்குனர்கள் (சுகாதார பணிகள்), முதன்மை கல்வி அலுவலர், மாவட்ட சமூக நல அலு
வலர், மாவட்ட வணிகவரி துறை தலைவர், வட்டார போக்குவரத்து அலுவலர், நகராட்சி
ஆணையர்கள் அடங்கிய கண்காணிப்பு குழு அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
இது
தொடர்பாக விழுப்புரம் மாவட்ட வணிக சங்கங்களுக்கான ஆலோசனை கூட்டம் ஆட்சியர்
அலுவலகத்தில் வரும் 10ம் தேதி நடக்கிறது. இவ்வாறு அவர் பேசினார். மாவட்ட
வருவாய் அலுவலர் பிருந்தாதேவி, கள்ளக்குறிச்சி சுகாதாரதுறை துணை இயக்குனர்
கோவிந்தன் உட்பட பலர் கலந்துகொண்டனர்.
Rs. 24,000 fine imposed under FS&S Act
Udhampur:- Additional Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur who is also Adjudicating Officer under Food Safety and Standard (FS&S) Act. 2006, today imposed a fine of Rs. 24,000/- in as many as six cases having been submitted to him by the Food Safety Officer of Block Tikri and Ramnagar for adjudication.
The accused persons had in all these cases confessed the commission of the offence under the Act and keeping in view all the attendant circumstances, penalties were imposed which were deemed commensurate with the gravity of the offences committed. The offenders were directed to deposit the penalties imposed on them in the Government Treasury under relevant head of account which they have complied with.
They were further directed to be careful in future and desist from carrying any such activities as are forbidden under the law of the land, so as to save the public health from being endangered thereby.
Stakeholders should avoid marketing Gutkha
JAMMU: The Commissioner of Food Safety issued Notification vide SRO-68 on 6th March, 2013 prohibiting manufacture, storage, sale, transportation, display or distribution of Gutkha by whatever name and Pan Masala/Zarda containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients by whatsoever name with immediate effect in the interest of public health. However, it has been observed that availability of Gutkha and Pan Masala containing and / or nicotine continues in violation of the above said notification despite keeping the above notification in public domain through print and electronic media.
It is therefore impressed upon all stake holders to observe and secure due diligence for compliance of the said prohibition. The enforcement officers appointed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 are hereby directed to take cognisance of any violation on this account as per mandate of law, stated Controller, Drug Food Control Jammu through a press release issued on Thursday.
Violation of the prohibition order can invite seizure of above said product along with legal action as prescribed under the aforesaid Act.
It is impressed upon all the designated officers and Food Safety Officers to utilise the services of Public Prosecutors available at District Headquarters for seeking necessary legal guidance in the matters arising out of implementation of the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 as well as pending Court cases pertaining to repealed Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, the release added.
However, this arrangement shall apply only when the Standing Counsels appointed by the Law Department for DFCO are not able to provide the required guidance owing to their preoccupation or feasibility. It may also be noted that henceforth no excuse for eviction of offenders booked for contravention of provisions warranting legal action shall be accepted on account of default construed on this account i.e. non-availability of legal counseling. The defaulting officials shall invite strict administrative action for such lapses, the release maintained.
Food safety body issues warning after 'shocking' fall in standards
MAY was one of the worst ever months for serious food safety problems in restaurants, shops and takeaways.
Health inspectors took action against 19 food businesses over hygiene
and safety problems that could endanger public health last month.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) warned businesses to clean up their act as warm summer weather greatly increases the risks of food poisoning.
It
was "shocking" that such a high number of food businesses were not
compliant with food law, said FSAI director of service contracts Dr
Bernard Hegarty.
"The risks for food-borne illness increase as bacteria can multiply rapidly in the warmer temperatures," he said.
The
19 enforcement actions last month matches the previous highest monthly
total recorded last October. So far in 2013, some 61 food businesses
have received enforcement actions, compared with 109 in the whole of
2012, and the numbers falling short of food safety standards have risen
dramatically over the last six years.
The recession could be one factor, but also health inspectors have increased powers under new EU food regulations to take action where there is a breach of food legislation, an FSAI spokesperson said.
Londis supermarket at 12 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2; Chopsticks restaurant in Parnell Mall, Ilac Centre, Dublin 1; Sichuan House Restaurant at 100a Parnell St, Dublin 1; and Hong Kong
Seafood Restaurant at 138 Parnell St, Dublin 1 were all served with
closure orders, which were lifted when the problems were resolved.
Pacino's
restaurant in Suffolk St, Dublin 2, and Morning Star grocery store,
Flower Hill, Navan, Co Meath also received closure orders that were
later lifted.
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