Cause of small traders in food sector taken up in RS

New Delhi, Aug 2 (UNI) The elders today took up the cause of the small manufacturers and vendors against the big multinational companies in the food sector fearing their "elimination".

Continuing the ongoing discussion on the Food Safety and Standards Bill, 2006 in Rajya Sabha, which was introduced last evening, Mr P Madhu of CPI(M) said a major drawback of the Bill was that no distinction was made between the small and big traders and this would result in the harassment and elimination of the former.

He said the provisions for licences and penalties would lead to Inspector Raj that would only help the big manufacturers.

Mr P G Narayanan, AIADMK leader, said the Bill referred to the Standing Committee but none of its recommendations had been incorporated. "What is the use of sending it to the Standing Committee?" he asked.

The Bill brought all from the big to the small manufacturers under its ambit, he said and called for rectification of anomalies such as quality of water used and junior officials armed with powers to take away licences.

Rashtriya Janata Dal member Mangani Lal Mandal similarly called for removal of anomalies in the Bill noting that five zones were listed and wondered on what basis they had been demarcated.

Mr R Chandra Sekar Reddy, Telugu Desam Party leader, wanted to know whether hospitals, railways, airlines and messes catering to students were to be brought under the purview of the Bill. He said the House should protect the farmers and fishermen from its purview.

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