Mobile courts lack strong teeth

Drive against adulterated food starts today
The government is set to start anti-adulteration drive from today without any sting in the form of strict punishment against offenders, including the persons responsible for making foods toxic.
On July 23, the present government approved the Mobile Court Ordinance 2009, which lacks the provision for punishment like cancellation of trade licence.
However, the mobile court has been provided with the power to instantly try offenders, who are involved in adulteration and poisoning of food items.
But the new bill does not vest much authority in these mobile courts. It suggests that such courts may only fine the offenders and the maximum punishment will be a three-month simple imprisonment if any case is filed.
When asked, Industries Minister Dilip Barua told The Daily Star that the government would gradually increase the power of mobile courts to try criminals with strict punishment.
“We are going to start the anti-adulteration drive from tomorrow [Tuesday] for ensuring the quality of food items during Ramadan,” he said adding, “Initially, we are urging the manufacturers and businessmen to do ethical business, and not to involve in food adulteration.”
“They should provide the consumers with quality food items, which are pure, accurate in measurement and toxin free,” he said yesterday while speaking at a press briefing organised by the industries ministry.
With the new bill, the executive magistrates regain their authority to establish mobile courts to ensure food safety. After separation of the judiciary, the judicial magistrates only could operate such mobile courts against criminal activities, including adulteration of food.
The government has appointed two executive magistrates to run the mobile court in Dhaka.
“Simultaneously, we have taken initiative to strengthen the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) to ensure the quality of food items,” said Barua adding, “As part of strengthening the BSTI, we have recruited 113 new staff and purchased new machinery for chemical testing.”
Dewan Zakir Hussain, secretary to the industries ministry, was also present at the briefing.

Courtesy of The Daily Star