'Food Safety Act provisions not favourable for India'

A senior social scientist says its implementation would increase unemployment

PTI | April 13, 2012



Political leaders may have divergent views on implementation of provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, but a senior social scientist here feels that it may not be in the interest of countries like India in view of its socio-economic conditions.

"The Act in my opinion is not in favour of India in view of its socio-economic conditions. It may be good for foreign countries but definitely not for Hindustan," Professor Gyanendra Gautam, Barkatullah University's Sociology Department Head, said.

"How can one expect from a small trader selling food articles on a handcart to follow the Act's provisions which may render large number of people jobless," he asked.

Its implementation would result in increasing crime, corruption, poverty and unemployment, he said adding the provisions of the Act may be good but not in favour of India in the present form.

However, Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh while addressing a rally in Barwani recently alleged that the state government is unnecessary trying to politicse the issue.

Ajay suggested that if there is any problem in any provisions of the Act then like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh Government too can make amendments in it.

Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislature Party, Choudhary Rakesh Singh Chaturvedi, who represents Bhind seat in the State Assembly where adultration of milk products is a major problem said, "Life is more important than the economic issues."

"For prevention of rampant adulteration, the country needs tough laws as nothing is more important than one's life," Choudhary said.

As far as the Act's viability in Indian conditions is concerned, laws can always be amended for the betterment of people at large.

The state recently witnessed an unprecedented a three-day long bandh specially by shops selling food products including restaurants in protest against the stringent provisions of the Act following which Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan has assured them that the Act would be implemented in the state only when it is amended and its shortcomings are removed, official sources said.

Madhya Pradesh BJP spokesman, Vijesh Lunawat said no doubt the country should have stingent laws for checking adulteration, but the law should have a human angle also as it is going to affect large number of persons in its present form and therefore, some of its provisions need to be amended.

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