Shri Sharad Yadav,
Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has
given two weeks’ extension of time to the Committee to complete
its report on the alleged presence of pesticides in the bottled
drinking water and natural mineral water which was sold under
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification.
The Government had constituted
a Committee on February 5, 2003 under the chairpersonship of
Addl. Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs to inquire into
various issues relating to packaged drinking water/natural mineral
water. The Committee was initially given three weeks time to
look into issues relating to packaged water like adequacy of
prescribed standards and enforcement procedures, effectiveness
of testing facilities, status of alignment of standards to international
standards, linkage of BIS standards with Prevention of Food
Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954 etc. The Committee held a series
of meetings and interactions with various stakeholders including
consumer organisations, experts from WHO and scientists from
National Physical Laboratory. However, considering the complexity
of the issue as it related to the safety of consumers, the Committee
felt that detailed examination in consultation with scientists
had to be carried out further and requested for further extension
of time.
