HC extends stay on the ban on junk food with plastic cover

In a temporary relief to junk food manufacturers and sellers, the Himachal Pradesh High Court today extended the stay on the implementation of a government notification, banning the sale of 25 junk food items with plastic cover, till December 9.
A division bench comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Rajiv Sharma stayed the matter to grant time to the central government to file its reply and directed all parties to complete the pleading by December 9, ruling out any further adjournment in the matter.
The state government issued a notification on June 26, banning the stocking and sale of 25 junk food items including chips, biscuits and noodles in plastic/non-biodegradable packet. The ban was to come into effect on July 1, 2013.

The high court passed the orders on the petitions of Sanyukt Vyapar Mandal Khalini, Indian Biscuits Manufactures Association, Noida and Haroli Block Industries Associations, Tahliwal Una.
Earlier, the high court on September 3 had stayed the notification till November 19.
The central government had said that additional time was required to evaluate the possible consequences that may arise as a result of the ban on sale of identified food items and the aspects with respect to relocation of workers, the status of loans obtained by local units.

The court had earlier extended the stay up to October 2 and later further extended it till November 19.

The government had submitted that the immediate impact of ban will be on 6,000 workers directly employed in 270 local manufacturing units.
The state government implemented the ban on 25 food items, in compliance with the high court order.