There is a need to constitute a single co-ordinated body to look into many overlapping issues and expedite issuance of clearances from various ministries and government departments in the food sector, Union minister for food and consumer affairs Ram Vilas Paswan said while inaugurating ‘FMCG Summit-Issues & Opportunities,’an ASSOCHAM event held in New Delhi on Thursday.
“We will write to each and every department and also to the prime minister that we need to seriously look into such issues being raised by the industry,” said Paswan.
He stated that there should be a time-bound redressal to the industries’ grievances.
Besides, he advocated the use of modern technologies and innovations in the food sector as per the changing times.
Highlighting the need to promote honest ways of doing business, Paswan said, “Industries should maintain quality control in food products.”
“At the time of Maggie row, I was myself very concerned as we want to develop the industry but at the same time we do not want anything to go against the consumers,” said the minister.
“It is all about credibility and public perception which if gets dented even once then it becomes difficult to control it,” he added.
Paswan informed that Union Cabinet had given its approval for amendment to the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, as there was a world of difference between today’s consumer and the consumer that was 29 years ago.
On the issue of sugar export, the minister stated, “We want to export sugar to the countries where there is a requirement and the industry should take initiative in this regard, we also want to promote barter system otherwise the 40 per cent import duty we’ve fixed will be of no use.”
Paswan stated that the government had not taken any decision so far about making 40 lakh tonne of raw sugar export mandatory.
