The Delhi High Court has expressed severe displeasure over the continued distribution of adulterated milk in the national capital, criticizing the relevant authorities for their failure to curb the issue. During a heated session, the court admonished the Delhi government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Police, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), emphasizing the need for these bodies to stop blaming each other and start fulfilling their responsibilities with sincerity.
The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Preetam Singh Arora, highlighted the non-compliance of city dairies with set guidelines and a lack of focus on cleanliness. The judges were particularly concerned about cattle consuming hazardous substances from landfill sites, which then affects the milk consumed by children and used in products like sweets and chocolates.
Justice Manmohan stressed the visible misuse of the banned drug oxytocin in dairies and reprimanded the Chief Secretary, Naresh Kumar, for the inaction of his officials. He questioned why such officials were still being paid if no effective measures were being taken. The court expressed its readiness to hand over the task of tackling milk adulteration to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) if the local police fail to address the issue adequately.
Furthermore, the court directed the Chief Secretary to personally inspect some dairies and report back with a detailed plan to ensure all dairies in Delhi have the necessary licenses and that cattle are prevented from consuming contaminated substances. It also demanded an action plan for dairies near landfill sites like Ghazipur and Bhalswa to prevent adulterated milk production and track the source of oxytocin.
The next hearing is scheduled for May 27, where the court expects significant progress on these directives.
