The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought a report from authorities in the national Capital over the number of vacant posts of food inspectors, which is hampering effective inspection of use of pesticides in vegetables and fruits sold in Delhi.
A division bench of acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar asked authorities to file a status report on the number of food inspectors, after being told that vacancies were still not filled.
The court was earlier told that in a number of vegetables and edible items, pesticide residue was found to be beyond permissible limits.
However, owing to the shortage of food inspectors, such vegetables and fruits reach households, thus posing a serious threat to people's health.
According to a report submitted by the amicus curiae, a large quantity of vegetables and fruits sold in Delhi contains dangerous pesticides that can cause serious health problems.
It claimed that due to excessive usage of pesticides in fruits and vegetable, "various countries have banned the import of Indian vegetables and fruits and many more are under scrutiny".