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.