Iva’s complaint against FDA director: GHRC adjourns hearing to Aug 8

NT NETWORK

Panaji

A single-member bench of the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) headed by AD Salkar, who has taken cognizance of a complaint filed by the South Goa designated officer of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Iva Fernandes, has adjourned the matter for receiving affidavit-in-evidence to start cross examination.

The South Goa designated officer of FDA, who had made public the test report on content of formalin in fish last year on July 12, had complained to the commission in September last year seeking action against the FDA director Jyoti Sardesai for alleged humiliation and violation of her human rights.

In her complaint, the Iva had said that she is mentally and physically disturbed by the ill-treatment meted out by FDA director Jyoti Sardesai. She said she has been targeted, sidelined and subjected to hostile discrimination for being truthful and honest on duty.  

The FDA director has denied all charges and blamed the complainant Iva Fernandes of failing to perform her duty as per the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS), 2006.

The complainant during the last hearing had filed an application to allow her to cross-examine the FDA director on the grounds that she deliberately suppressed and twisted facts.

The Commission allowed the plea and adjourned the matter to August 8 for receiving affidavit-in-evidence to start cross examination.