BJP members fear harassment of businessmen

New Delhi, July 26 (UNI) The Food Safety and Standards Bill, 2005 faced opposition from BJP members in the Lok Sabha today on the ground that it was vague and unclear ''leaving scope for misinterpretation, corruption and harassment of petty businessmen''.

Initiating discussion on the Bill, moved by Minister of State for Food Processing Subodh Kant Sahai, Mr Avinash Rai Khanna (BJP) said it would create problems for petty businessmen who move from one place to another, unsure about where he should be registered, because of the lack of clarity in the Bill.

Mr Khanna said the provision for penalty of a minimum of Rs one lakh was liable for being misused by officers who would strike a deal with businessmen to settle for a lesser penalty on payment of bribe. While the Bill is intended to protect consumer rights, it was not going to benefit the common man due to the difficulty in implementing it.

Mr Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary (Cong), however, supported the Bill saying it would remove many impediments facing the food processing sector. It would help prevent adulteration and contamination of food and thereby protect consumer rights.

Earlier, moving the Bill for consideration and passing, Minister of State for Food Processing Subodh Kant Sahai described it as historic in the interest of consumers. He said food processing was never in the focus until a separate Food Processing Ministry was created 16 years ago by late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The Bill, he said, provides for creation of a regulatory authority in the food processing sector which would help end the inspector raj.

The Bill, which was an amalgamation of the previous laws, would fulfill the need for quality food which consumers want due to the increasing awareness. It prescribes fines in case of harassment to petty businessmen or consumers and provides for right to recall in case of a bad product.

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