Port Blair, Sept. 20: The Deputy Commissioner North & Middle Andaman has observed that, “The Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Rules 2011 and Regulation 2011 are being inappropriately and incompletely implemented. There is a need for a Commissioner Food Safety and Designated Officer as per Law”.

Reliable sources inform that the Deputy Commissioner North & Middle Andaman had called up a meeting of the Food Safety Officials of his district and took stock of the problems for smooth implementation of Food Safety and Standard Act. The DC has written a Note (UO 8-24/DC(N&MA) FSSS/12/2401 dated 4th September 2012) to Secretary (Health) stating that he has been designated as Adjudicating officer under the same law but cannot exercise his duties due to inappropriate and incomplete implementation of the Act, which is a grave situation.

He writes “The Commissioner Food Safety (Director of Health Services), A&N Administration, Port Blair vide order No. 92 dated 06/06/2011 has appointed the Medical Officer I/C, N&M Andaman, Mayabunder as the Designated Officer (Licensing Officer) for N&M Andaman District for a period of 01 year or till a whole time Officer Designated officer is appointed, whichever is earlier”.

It revealed that the power conferred on the Medical Officer I/c, N&M Andaman, Mayabunder as the Designated Officer has already lapsed on 04/08/2012. As per qualification Rule 2.1.2.1 (iii) (b) the additional charge cannot be held by him from 05/08/2012 and no whole time Designated Officer is appointed from that date. Thus the Food Licenses and Registration issued / made by the (earlier), after 05/08/2012 will be null & void.

The need now is for a full time Designated Officer to be appointed immediately. Also the Commissioner of Food Safety (State Food Authority) should be of the rank of “Commissioner and Secretary” to State Government may be notified / appointed. But at present the Director of Health Services has been conferred the power of Commissioner Food Safety. And therefore the appointment of Commissioner of Food Safety and Designated Officer is to be appointed as per the provision of the Law.

“I have been designated as Adjudicating officer under the same law but cannot exercise my duties due to inappropriate and incompletely implementation of the Act. Hence your personal attention is sought in the matter. Submitted please. Sd/- Deputy Commissioner North & Middle Andaman District.”

It is surprising to learn that the Administration has been simply ignoring the Note of a District Magistrate.

Inappropriately and incomplete implemented Food Safety and Standards Act has rendered the enforcement officials powerless that will help learned criminals to escape on technical ground. Huge amount of salaries paid out of government exchequer is being wasted. There are no regulations to help good business people to carryout food business as some who do malpractices, practice fearlessly. And in the absences of any properly implemented regulations the consumer interests also remains unprotected.