Mumbai, Aug 11 (PTI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday directed that those involved in food adulteration be booked under stringent anti-organised crime law MCOCA, saying such unscrupulous elements are putting the health of citizens, particularly youngsters, at grave risk.
The direction came amidst the ongoing state-wide crackdown by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on food safety violations and adulteration.
Shinde held a meeting in Mumbai to review the targets set for various departments for the year 2026-27 under ‘Viksit Maharashtra 2047’ vision, as well as the steps being taken to achieve them.
The deputy Chief Minister asked officials to act tough against food adulteration, especially milk and other dairy products, during a presentation made by the FDA department at the meeting.
Food adulteration is not an ordinary offence, but an act that directly puts citizens’ lives at risk, he stressed.
Young children consume milk in large quantities, and adulterated food products, including counterfeit paneer, could expose them to serious diseases such as cancer. Those involved in adulteration are directly putting the lives and future of children at risk, Shinde noted.
“No leniency should be shown towards such anti-social elements and stringent action should be taken against them under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) to create a strong deterrent,” the deputy CM emphasised.
It may be noted that under the MCOCA, it is very hard for an accused to get out on bail. Also, police can hold suspects longer before they file charges.
Shinde asserted non-bailable offences should be registered against adulterators so that they do not exploit legal loopholes and called for special measures to strengthen the legal process in such cases.
The deputy CM, who holds multiple portfolios, insisted there should be no legal shortcomings while cases against those booked for food adulteration are being heard in courts.
For this purpose, assistance should be sought from reputed and senior legal experts, and a special legal team should be constituted immediately, Shinde added. PTI PR RSY
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