Central govt tells HC norms for junk food curbs in schools by July-end
18 April 2013 8:20 AM IST
The Central government on Wednesday informed the Delhi high court that draft guidelines on regulating sale of junk food and carbonated drinks within a 1,500 foot radius of schools would be made by July-end.
Additional Solicitor General Rajeeve Mehra told a division bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Jayant Nath that by 21 July, the central government will come up with draft guidelines on making available quality and safe food in schools.
Mehra said a private firm AC Nielsen ORG-MARG had been assigned the work of framing the guidelines. After making the draft guidelines, 'We would seek the opinion of food processing companies and prepare the final guidelines', added Mehra.
The next hearing will take place on 22 July.
The bench was hearing a public interest litigation(PIL) that sought a ban on the sale of junk food near schools. The Delhi government told the court that the Lieutenant Governor had the power to issue directions to schools but the same could be done only after the Central government framed the guidelines. The PIL was filed by Rahul Verma of Uday Foundation. The petition said: 'It is time we change the way kids eat in schools. Such a ban will set new standards for healthy food.'
The court in January 2012 had asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to frame guidelines within six months. It had also asked FSSAI to consult the All India Food Processors Association (AIFPA) and restaurant associations before framing the guidelines.
GOVT'S RESPONSE SOUGHT ON SCHOOL ADMISSION
The Delhi high court sought the city government's response to a PIL on Wednesday seeking directions to formulate fresh guidelines for nursery admissions in tune with the RTE Act which prohibits screening of children in admission at entry level(Class-I). A bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Jayant Nath issued notices to Delhi government and L-G and sought their responses on a PIL filed by social jurists who alleged that Delhi government has given free hand to schools to lay down the procedure of admission to nursery and primary classes. The counsel said the RTE Act prohibits screening of children for admission at the entry level (class-I) whereas Delhi government has framed guidelines in 2007 under the Delhi Education Act and given freedom to the schools.
Additional Solicitor General Rajeeve Mehra told a division bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Jayant Nath that by 21 July, the central government will come up with draft guidelines on making available quality and safe food in schools.
Mehra said a private firm AC Nielsen ORG-MARG had been assigned the work of framing the guidelines. After making the draft guidelines, 'We would seek the opinion of food processing companies and prepare the final guidelines', added Mehra.
The next hearing will take place on 22 July.
The bench was hearing a public interest litigation(PIL) that sought a ban on the sale of junk food near schools. The Delhi government told the court that the Lieutenant Governor had the power to issue directions to schools but the same could be done only after the Central government framed the guidelines. The PIL was filed by Rahul Verma of Uday Foundation. The petition said: 'It is time we change the way kids eat in schools. Such a ban will set new standards for healthy food.'
The court in January 2012 had asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to frame guidelines within six months. It had also asked FSSAI to consult the All India Food Processors Association (AIFPA) and restaurant associations before framing the guidelines.
GOVT'S RESPONSE SOUGHT ON SCHOOL ADMISSION
The Delhi high court sought the city government's response to a PIL on Wednesday seeking directions to formulate fresh guidelines for nursery admissions in tune with the RTE Act which prohibits screening of children in admission at entry level(Class-I). A bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Jayant Nath issued notices to Delhi government and L-G and sought their responses on a PIL filed by social jurists who alleged that Delhi government has given free hand to schools to lay down the procedure of admission to nursery and primary classes. The counsel said the RTE Act prohibits screening of children for admission at the entry level (class-I) whereas Delhi government has framed guidelines in 2007 under the Delhi Education Act and given freedom to the schools.
Next Story
