Express News Service
Hyderabad, Oct 21

A Delhi-based Voluntary Organization, Interest of Consumer Education (VOICE), will begin a nation-wide campaign from the city to protest against the proposed the Food Safety and standard Bill in Parliament. Addressing a press conference here today, its CEO Bejon Misra said the consumer groups would oppose the proposed draft Bill as it would go against the interests of consumers and violate the Consitution. He claimed the Bill tabled in Lok Sabha on August 25 did not have the approval of the Cabinet.

Mr. Bejon Misra, CEO-VOICE

“ The document which was circulated before the Cabinet on August 4 as the Draft Good Safety and Standards Bill – 2005 had the approval of the Cabinet on August 4 as the Draft Food Safety and Standards Bill – 2005 had the approval of the Cabinet. But the one which was presented before the Lok Sabha had many of its clauses changed. They were changed to suit the convenience of the industry , “he alleged. Misra who is also the chairman of the Consumer Coordination Council (CCC), said the Bill was drafted by the Ministry of food Processing, “ It should have been drafted either by the Health Ministry or the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, “ he said.

“ A committee formed earlier had been looking into the issue. But there was no representative of consumer groups in it. All this would do a lot of damage to the consumers who are treated like consumers who are treated like guinea pigs” he charged.