GUWAHATI: The Assam government is all set to constitute six teams to check the inflow of contaminated vegetables into Guwahati.
These teams will comprise officials from different departments, including the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
These teams will strictly monitor the inflow of vegetables grown using chemical manure and pesticides into the city.
The teams will also conduct tests at all three major entry points to the city in a bid to prevent the flow of such vegetables that pose health risks.
The state government submitted the plan before the Gauhati High Court on Friday in connection with a petition filed by one Seema Bhuyan, seeking directions to the government to take necessary steps to prevent the entry of contaminated vegetables to Guwahati.
However, the bench of Justice Achintya Malla Bujor Barua and Justice Robin Phukan asked the government not to harass small-time traders while conducting random checks in the markets.
“If any contaminated vegetables are detected with the small traders, the source may be tracked down, and appropriate action be taken against the big traders,” the bench added.
The court said apart from putting up barriers and conducting tests at the three major entry points to Guwahati, random mobile barriers can be installed and testings can be done at different places on different dates on the entire route used to ferry contaminated vegetables from the source to the Guwahati city.
On detention of vehicles carrying contaminated vegetables, the court told to maintain surveillance to locate destinations to which the vegetables would be redirected. It asked the authorities to explore the possible smaller entry points.
The court said the authorities may take a decision on how to prevent their entry through water routes.