The Madhya Pradesh cabinet on Dec. 29th 2020 approved an ordinance that has a provision for life sentence for those found guilty of food and drug adulteration in the state. This ordinance is officially termed as “The Penal Laws (Madhya Pradesh amendment) Ordinance 2020”
A separate section has been introduced in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to provide for five years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh or both for those selling food items beyond their expiry date.
The Penal Laws (Madhya Pradesh Amendment) Ordinance, 2020, was cleared by the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet to strengthen IPC provisions towards adulteration of food items and medicines. Sections 272, 273, 274, 275 and 276 of the Indian Penal Code (related to public health & safety) have been amended to replace 6 months imprisonment and fine up to Rs 1,000 with life imprisonment.
The person directly engaged in adulteration and the owner of premises where such activities are taking place will be punished and not the trader selling contaminated items.
A new section 273 (a) has been added. This is a provision of five years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh or both on sale of food items after their expiry date has been made.
The Government of Madhya Pradesh, looks forward to this Ordinance to curb the menace of adulteration in food and drugs.
Unfortunately, a bill to this effect was to be introduced in the assembly. The same could not be placed as its three-day winter session, scheduled to start from December 28, was postponed due to the COVID-19 situation in the State.
