The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has sought the Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa's help to stop the implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act and Regulations (FSSA&R).

The Act was brought into force throughout the country on August 5.

Stringent provisions

In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, the chamber President, Mr N. Jegatheesan, and the Chamber Senior President, Mr S. Rethinavelu, said that the Act was replete with highly stringent and unjustified provisions that would force small traders and manufacturers of food products to quit the field.

They pleaded that the Act be implemented after three years, after creating awareness and providing training to traders and producers of related products and to the enforcing officials.

They said the Act sought to restore the dreadful inspector-raj in the country and provided for harsh punishment even for small infringements, with penalty ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

With the Central Government virtually deciding to permit foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail trade, it is suspected that multinational corporations are behind the enforcement of the Act.

Moreover, the implementation of the Act required clear awareness at all levels and training of officials, which would take a minimum of three years. In all fairness, the Central Government should defer its enforcement for at least three years, they pleaded.

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