The Tamil Nadu State government has informed the Madras High Court that a Committee would be constituted to probe into the allegations of milk adulteration in the State.
The Government Pleader made the submission on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) moved by advocate A.P.Suryaprakasam seeking a CBI probe into the allegation of adulteration by private producers and to enhance the punishment for the offence of food adulteration to life imprisonment.
When the plea came up for hearing before the First Bench headed by Chief Justice Indira Banerjee on Monday, the Bench wondered as to how the Parliament can be directed by this court to make amendments in a statute.
However, considering the seriousness of the allegation, the Bench directed the State government to file a status report in two weeks and posted the plea to June 19 for further hearing.
According to the petitioner, milk plays a vital role in shaping the mind and body of every human being. “If the citizens are forced to consume adulterated milk, then the government, responsible for the health and safety of the citizens, has to be taken to task for not discharging its statutory duties,” he added.
Noting that he was shocked and surprised to read the statements of the State Dairy Development Minister that private milk firms were using harmful chemicals in the milk they produce, the petitioner said that the Minister had, in fact, asserted that he was making the statement only after he was absolutely sure about the adulteration.
Claiming that it is unfortunate that the authorities have so far not taken any action against the adulterators, the petitioner wanted the court to direct necessary steps under the provisions of Indian Penal Code (IPC) for enhancing the punishment for the adulterators to life sentence.