Food Safety Act raises concerns of unleashing inspector raj

The Food Safety and Standards Act has, has raised apprehensions not only among those in the food business alone, but the Punjab government too seems concerned over more powers that would be vested in the implementing authorities.

According to Punjab health minister Madan Mohan Mittal, though the Act would benefit the masses by ensuring the safety of food, it might give rise to a system of 'Inspector Raj', though he assured that the government would take the necessary steps to avoid such a situation from arising.

The health minister was in Ludhiana to attend a seminar aimed at spreading the awareness about the act among the masses.

The Act requires all food-serving units to get permission from the health department, with units having sales above Rs12 lakh per year required to get licences, while others only needing a registration.

"The Food Safety and Standards Act will be very helpful in maintaining a system that will ensure safety of food. For that, the people involved in the food industry will have to get registered or acquire a license, according to the provisions of the Act."

However, he added, "Since there are lot of people involved in the industry, including those with tiny businesses, we feel there is scope of 'Inspector Raj'. But we will design a proper system to keep a regular check on all the officials, to eliminate that possibility."