Delhi Govt efforts to check food adulteration inadequate: CAG

New Delhi, Mar 19 (UNI) The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has rapped the Delhi Government for making ''woefully inadequate'' efforts to enforce the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, including shortfall in lifting samples and a low rate of conviction in cases related to adulteration.

The CAG also pointed at the Delhi government's slow pace in enforcing the Act, during the year 2004-2005.

Provisions pertaining to licensing of food establishments under the Delhi Prevention for Food Adulteration rules are yet to be brought into force in the national capital, the report said. Also, as such, there were no activities for the grant/renewal of certificates in the directorate, it added.

Pointing to a heavy shortfall in lifting of samples by the inspectors to check adulteration, the report said, '' During the period between 2002-2005, there was a huge shortfall every year in the lifting of samples, ranging between 68 per cent to 75 per cent, with only 6,601 samples being lifted against the target of 22,620 samples.

During the year 2004-2005, a total of 2310 samples were lifted as against of 7680 in a month, leading to a shortfall of 6601 (71 per cent).'' The rate of conviction for adulteration was as low as 36 per cent, the report added.

''Failure to bring into effect the provisione related to the licensing of food establishments, gross shortfall in lifting of samples and poor success rate of prosecution indicate lack of seriousness with which the PFA Act was being enforced in the national capital, thereby endangering public health and safety,'' it added.

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