Hyderabad : Telangana high court on Friday refused to revoke the suspension of the food safety licence of G Pulla Reddy Sweets’ manufacturing unit at Sanathnagar, observing that the unit had failed to achieve the hygiene and safety compliance it had assured the court during an earlier hearing.
The court, however, also questioned why authorities were not conducting similar inspections against other major sweet manufacturers and adjourned the matter to Nov 18. Challenging the suspension, the firm approached the high court on Nov 4.
Hearing a petition filed by Pulla Reddy Sweets, Justice NV Shravan Kumar questioned why authorities were following a “pick-and-choose” policy and not initiating similar drives against several other reputed sweet manufacturers and suppliers in the city. The petitioner’s counsel submitted that the deficiencies pointed out by the authorities had been rectified and assured the court that the unit would fully comply with food safety and hygiene norms. The counsel sought revocation of the suspension, particularly in view of the ongoing festive season and the high public demand for sweets.
Taking note of the undertaking, the judge directed the authorities to conduct a fresh inspection and place a report before the court before any orders were passed.
Appreciating the govt‘s efforts to address what it termed a “serious issue”, the court questioned the petitioner’s counsel over the continued non-compliance despite the assurances given during the previous hearing. Citing the report, P Shravan Kumar Goud, govt pleader for health, medical and family welfare, opposed any relief to the sweets manufacturer. He argued that granting relief in such cases would embolden other entities to continue similar unhygienic practices, thereby endangering public health. However, when the counsel contended that the deficiencies were similar to those found in any household kitchen and could be rectified, the judge took strong objection, observing that commercial establishments cannot be allowed to operate while putting public health at risk. The court also remarked that such enforcement drives should be undertaken on a larger scale.