By IANS,
New Delhi : The Supreme Court has extended by six more months the ban on sale of non-iodised salt in the country and asked the government to take legislative or other steps to impose curbs of more permanent nature.
“We direct the continuation of the ban contained in Rule 44-I (of Prevention of Food Adulteration Act) for a period of six months” the apex court bench of Justice R.V. Raveendran and Justice B. Sudershan Reddy (who has now retired) said in their recent judgment.
The bench held that the ban on the sale of non-iodized salt for human consumption under the provisions of the Prevention of food Adulteration Act was ultra vires but extended it by six months in the interest of the public health.
Justice Raveendran said: “The central government may within that period review the compulsory iodization programme and if it decides to continue, may introduce appropriate legislative or other measures. It is needless to say that if it fails to take any action within the expiry of six months from today, Rule 44-I shall cease to operate.”
The apex court verdict came in the wake of a batch of petitions by several NGOs.