Nagpur:
A Bill providing
strict penal action against people adulterating milk and its
products, would be introduced in the budget session of the
Maharashtra Legislature, Water Resources and Energy Minister Ajit
Pawar told the state Legislative Council today.
Noting the concern expressed by members cutting across party lines
on the serious health consequences posed to the masses by
adulterated milk and the lenient punishment handed down to the
guilty under the existing legal provisions, Pawar, responding on
behalf of the state government following the directions of Chairman
Shivajirao Deshmukh, said the government too was equally concerned
about the matter.
Before the Bill is introduced in the budget session, the government
might even promulgate an ordinance, he said.
The
issue came up for discussion in the House after a starred question
raised by Rajan Teli of Congress and others regarding milk
adulteration in Nagpur district.
Replying to the question, Minister of State for Food and Drugs
Administration, Ramesh Bagwe said the raids had been conducted on
July 22 at a milk vendor's place in Nagpur and one sample each of
cow and buffalo milk had been obtained.
Both
the samples were found to be sub-standard and hence action has been
initiated against the vendor, he said.
Bagwe further said his department conducted regular raids to check
adulteration of milk and its products.
However, various members pointed out that despite government action,
milk adulteration was going on on a rampant scale.
Government action failed to have any effect as guilty go scot-free
due to lenient legal provisions, they added.
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