Single window clearance proposed for food processing industry

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Aug 2 (UNI) The government today said that the entire food-processing industry is ''in a state of confusion'', and the Food Safety and Standards Bill, passed today by the Rajya Sabha, will address many long-pending issues including the right of the consumer to get samples of food items for testing and compensation if they are contaminated.

Replying after a four hour long debate, which started last evening, on the issue, Minister of State for Food Processing Industry Subodh Kant Sahay said the Bill is a single window facility and incorporates 16 laws.

''There would be one single authority and it will not be dominated by bureaucrats. There would be 12 office bearers and 10 will be non-governmental officers. They will constitute the Food Regulatory Authority of India and the inspector will be given the right to penalise,'' he said.

Since there are multi-level authorities existing today, the entire industry is in a state of confusion, Mr Sahay said, asserting that he would end this current state of affairs.

The Minister assured that the interests of the small producers and vendors will be given more importance and facilities. ''They can even start their business if they do not get licenses within two months of their application.'' ''Financial constraints will not come in the way,'' he said, adding even the street vendors will be eligible for micro-financing.

Noting the Bill was lengthy as well as long-pending, he said it is not the final one and it may be amended to include more ideas.

The Bill, yet to be passed in the Lok Sabha, has been referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) also and posted on the internet Later, Deputy Chairman Rahman Khan put to the Bill to vote, and it was passed by voice vote.

Earlier, resuming the debate, Mr P Madhu x x x x Eds: Pls pick up from para two, line three of PAR 39 ''FOOD SAFETY BILL RS'' UNI RT vD RAI1845

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