New Delhi, Apr 9: The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea seeking constitution of a national task force or committee to monitor and ensure effective compliance with food safety enforcement measures across the country.
“We find no ground to entertain this writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. Accordingly, the same is dismissed as being devoid of merits,” a bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said.
The bench pronounced its order on the plea, which also sought direction to the authorities to undertake a nationwide and time-bound food safety audit and inspection drive covering food manufacturing and processing units, restaurants and commercial food establishments and others.
While hearing the plea on April 6, the bench had asked the petitioner that other than sermons, what research he had done before filing this public interest litigation (PIL).
The petitioner, who was appearing in person, had said the PIL raises an issue affecting almost everyone in the country and it relates to unsafe, contaminated and hazardous food.
The plea had sought directions to the authorities to constitute a national task force or committee under the supervision of the apex court to monitor and ensure effective compliance with food safety enforcement measures across the country.
It had made the Centre, states, Union territories and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India as respondents in the matter.
The plea had sought directions to the respondents to strengthen inspection infrastructure, testing laboratories and enforcement personnel across all states and Union territories.
It had also sought the establishment of a nationwide grievance redressal and compensation mechanism for victims of food safety violations.
