Single authority needed for looking into food sector related issues: Paswan

Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs Ram Vilas Paswan has said that there is a need to 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.

"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 while inaugurating 'FMCG Summit-Issues & opportunities,' organised by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) here yesterday.

He also said that there should be a time-bound redressal to the industries' grievances.

Besides, he also 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 the 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 Paswan.

"It is all about credibility and public perception which if gets dented even once then it becomes difficult to control it," he added.

Paswan also said that the Union Cabinet has given its approval for amendments in the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 as there is a world of difference between today's consumer and the consumer that was 29 years ago.

On the issue of sugar export, he said, "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 percent import duty we have fixed will be of no use."

The Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs also said that the government has not taken any decision so far about making 40 lakh tonnes of raw sugar export mandatory.