Here comes another 'gem' from the 'Authority' at Delhi proclaiming that 'integrated licensing' system would be introduced soon in the country to address the red tapism that bogs down Indian food industry in the name of regulation and consumer protection. It was only recently that the reputed food market pundit Prof Rajat Baisya of IIT Delhi vented out his frustration when he stated the obvious that nothing has changed during the last two decades since the economic liberalization regime was launched to encourage free enterprise and entrepreneurship in the country and food industry has to go through more than 30 government agencies before starting the manufacture! Now comes the latest pronouncement from the FSSAI which one hopes will unshackle the industry and allow the natural food resources of the country to be fully utilized through value addition route.
The licensing and regulatory regime for India's food processing industry is set for a complete recast with a new set of standards to take effect from January next year, an official said Monday. "Right now, there are many types of licenses. But we will get into one integrated license," Chairperson of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) P.I. Suvrathan told IANS on the sidelines of an interactive session on Indo-French cooperation in agriculture and food processing here. Explaining, he said: "For example, now there is one license for edible oils, another for milk and another license under the PFA (Prevention of Food Adulteration) law. But now there will be only one license from FSSAI."
That we are still talking about our intention rather than putting into action any meaningful remedial measures to address the problems of the food industry speaks volume about our ability for procrastination and inability to provide a congenial environment for the unimpeded growth of this vital sector for the last 6 decades. We can only hope the words from the 'Authority' as orchestrated above, will find expression at least now, through concrete results at the ground level. Food industry in India has a long track record of putting up with enormous inconveniences and delays without a fight and probably it may still expect the words of the Authority to be implemented as promised. .
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