|
Lov Verma is interim FSSAI chief; Dave back to APEDA
|
|
Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
January 29 , 2015
|
|
|
With the government holding consultations for a comprehensive review of
the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the deadline for obtaining
licence or securing registration by food business operators (FBOs) under
the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food
Business) Regulations, 2011,round the corner, top level churning has
begun at the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
K
Chandramouli has relinquished the post of chairman of FSSAI while
advisor Sanjay Dave has moved to parent organisation department of trade
and commerce. Interestingly, the apex food authority’s CEO Y S Malik is
also relatively new. He took office just three months ago.
With
Chandramouli stepping down following his term coming to an end, senior
IAS officer Lov Verma has been given additional charge of chairperson,
FSSAI.
Verma, a 1978 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre,
is currently serving the Union health ministry as secretary, department
of health and family welfare.
According to an order released by
department of personnel & training (DoPT), on January 23, consequent
upon relinquishment of charge of the post of chairperson of FSSAI, with
effect from Jan 23 by K Chandramouli former secretary, health, and IAS
officer of UP cadre, the competent authority has approved the assignment
of additional charge of chairperson, FSSAI, to Lov Verma for a period
of three months with immediate effect.
Chandramouli joined FSSAI
as chairman on Jan 27, 2012. Verma would be there till April and he
would be leading the Authority in its most important task of
comprehensive review after which a bill would be created to upgrade the
existing FSS Act of 2006.
However, there are chances of him being
given complete charge of FSSAI after April this year as he is
59-year-old and due for superannuation.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Dave
who spearheaded the task of harmonisation of Indian standards with Codex
international norms and was advisor to FSSAI, has just concluded his
stint with the apex food body and moved back to department of commerce
where he will be joining APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products
Export Development Authority).
Upon his going to APEDA, the
charge of enforcement and surveillance has once again come to Bimal
Kumar Dubey who is also handling food imports.
Apart from these
developments, according to sources, in few months from now, many other
senior director level officers’ tenure with FSSAI is coming to an end.
By April and June, at least three more officials’ tenure will end. There
may be large-scale rejig wherein a totally new team might emerge else
all the officials concerned could be given extension.
The
industry, meanwhile, wants a stable and friendly authority which would
pay heed to their concerns. Some of the industry players remained
cautious while waiting before the new dispensation takes shape.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOPICS
|
That foods might provide therapeutic benefits is clearly not a new concept. ...
|
|
|
|
|