Maharashtra Government to Propose Amendment Against Milk Adulteration under MCOCA: Deputy Chief Minister
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Synopsis
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced plans to amend the MCOCA to address milk adulteration. He emphasized public health risks and called for immediate action, including setting up testing labs and a toll-free complaint number.
Key Takeaways
- Maharashtra government proposes MCOCA amendment.
- Focus on public health risks from milk adulteration.
- Establishment of testing laboratories across departments.
- Public awareness campaigns and complaint mechanisms.
- Increased funding for advanced testing technology.
Mumbai, March 25 (NationPress) The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar, announced on Tuesday that the state government plans to introduce an amendment aimed at taking stringent action against those involved in milk adulteration under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
“This step is crucial as the adulteration of milk and similar food products poses a significant risk to public health. Such practices will be unequivocally condemned,” he stated.
During a meeting attended by Food and Drug Administration Minister Narahari Zirwal, the Deputy Chief Minister instructed the administration to draft a proposal for amending the law and present it to the cabinet for approval.
This meeting was convened in response to assurances made during a calling attention motion in the state Assembly concerning the sale of analogue cheese and instances of milk adulteration across various locations in the state.
Additionally, he emphasized the immediate establishment of a laboratory in each department to test for milk adulteration and mandated that information regarding analogue cheese should be displayed prominently at retail locations.
“There is a need for public awareness regarding milk adulteration; a toll-free number should be set up for the public to report such incidents, and a dedicated portal should be developed,” he added.
He assured that increased funding would be allocated in the supplementary demands for the Food and Drug Administration Department to acquire advanced technology and equipment to combat milk adulteration.
Furthermore, he instructed that personnel from the Dairy Department should be engaged and trained to address the manpower shortages in the Food and Drug Administration Department.
The Deputy Chief Minister also ordered the Solapur District Collector and the District Superintendent of Police (Rural) to promptly apprehend those involved in the Solapur milk adulteration case, irrespective of their political affiliations or age.
