Telangana High Court: The Bench comprising of Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan, CJ and A. Rajasheker Reddy, J., in a suo motu PIL noted the use of prohibited chemicals in ripening fruits leading to health hazard of the general public and to the labour engaged in mixing the prohibited chemicals.
The petition was filed under Article 226 based on a news item published in Eenadu Telugu Daily Newspaper. High Court treated the,, same as PIL. It was noted that carbide was being used in order to ripen the fruits which was leading to cause health hazards to general public along with the labour involved and thereby causing violation of Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Further, it was sought that necessary actions be taken against the respondents involved in the issue causing health hazards.
The Bench in respect of the challenges in the Food Safety Sector had directed the State of Telangana to consider creating more number of posts in the category of “Food Safety Officers”. Further, the major issue noted by the Court was of the use of “Carbide” in order to ripen fruits, which is totally impermissible and forbidden by law as its use is only confined for “industrial purposes”.
Court also recorded the submission of learned Special Government Pleader that sale of carbide in Telangana State already stands prohibited.
“Law contains the prohibition that carbide shall not be used in any purpose except industrial purpose.”
Therefore, the High Court directed the State Government to take immediate action in accordance with law against any person found to be in possession of carbide other than those as permitted by law. [Eanadu Telugu Daily Newspaper v. Union of India, 2019 SCC OnLine TS 363, Order dated 20-03-2019]
