The state government, on Thursday, submitted before the Gujarat High Court that it has taken all possible measures to contain the rampant use of dangerous chemicals for artificial ripening of fruits, which is a major threat to human health. The government also tabled a detailed report in this regard before the high court providing a statement of raids conducted by authorities on cold storages, wholesalers and retailers, to curb the use of these chemicals.
Following the submission of the report in the public interest litigation (PIL) instituted by the high court, the division bench of Acting Chief Justice AS Dave and Justice Biren Vaishnav has asked amicus curiae GM Joshi to go through the report and adjourned further hearing in the matter until Monday. Counsel for the state government Chintan Dave told DNA that the report contains details of the raids and inspections carried out by the concerned authorities to check whether the cold storages, wholesalers, and retailers, were adhering to the guidelines of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding artificial ripening of fruits.
The court had earlier severely criticised the state government for its lackadaisical approach in curbing the use of dangerous chemicals for artificial ripening of fruits. It had remarked that if the authorities had carried out their duties with dedication, the court would not have had to intervene in the matter.
It had then also ordered the state government to take all possible measures to prevent the use of chemicals such as ethylene, calcium carbide, and other chemical substances, for the purpose of ripening of mangoes and other fruits. The bench had ordered civic bodies as well to prevent the use of these chemicals by fruit sellers and wholesalers, and directed them to seal the fruit shops, which defy the court's order.
