Srinagar, Sep19: The High Court on Wednesday directed early clearance of the proposal for amendment to recruitment rules so as to expedite the process of filling of pending vacancies in Food Safety department.
The court directed that the proposal for amendment to recruitment rules be cleared and pending vacancies be filled as early as possible in the department.
The direction followed submissions by amicus curie in the case that aims implementation of Food Safety and Security Act, 2006 in the state.
The amicus curie said that despite availability of mobile food testing laboratories no samples are taken because of the lack of required technicians.
He further told that the department is extremely short of expert staff resulting into continued consumption of adulterated food by the general public, which is a cause of rampant gastroenterital ailments in the state.
The court made it clear that in case its directions are not implemented, Commissioner Secretary ARI & Trainings, acting as Commissioner Food, be brought before the court on the next date of hearing.
The amicus curie had earlier suggested that Assistant Food Commissioners in each district be asked to file personal affidavits to indicate the steps taken to implement the Act in their respective districts.
“The affidavit must attest the steps taken vis-à-vis checking, sealing of unregistered and unlicensed food outlets and launching of prosecution,” he pleaded.
The court has already directed the senior police officers of all the districts to extend protection to the Assistant Commissioner Food Standards of each district, wherever required.
The court has also directed the government to respond to an application moved by advocate Ateeb Kanth seeking directions for checking adulterated bakery items and chicken and chicken products containing anti-biotic residues.
