New Delhi: The Delhi High Court yesterday asked the central government to ensure the complete ban of carbonated beverages and junk food from school and college canteens.
"We do not need lip service, but we want the government to take effective steps to ensure that the sale and supply of junk food is completely banned near the educational institutions," a division bench of Justices A.K. Sikri and Siddharth Mridul said, expressing displeasure over the government affidavit admitting the health hazards of junk food.
"We are not satisfied with the affidavit you have filed," the bench said. It was hearing a plea for a ban on the sale of junk food and carbonated drinks near educational institutions.
In its affidavit filed July 18, the central government had invited proposals from experienced agencies, organisations and institutions for framing guidelines for providing safe food in educational institutions.
Instructions
Earlier, in an affidavit before a division bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the health ministry said it had written to all states and union territories to consider issuing instructions for withdrawing carbonated beverages and junk food from school and college canteens.
Justice Sikri said: "You have written to various states governments about the harmful effects caused by consuming junk food. But this does not solve the problem as it won't prevent selling of junk food near institutional areas."
The court also sought an action taken report from the government by November 2. It also asked the central government about the steps taken to create awareness among the young generation about the "harmful effects of increased consumption of junk food".
"We do not need lip service, but we want the government to take effective steps to ensure that the sale and supply of junk food is completely banned near the educational institutions," a division bench of Justices A.K. Sikri and Siddharth Mridul said, expressing displeasure over the government affidavit admitting the health hazards of junk food.
"We are not satisfied with the affidavit you have filed," the bench said. It was hearing a plea for a ban on the sale of junk food and carbonated drinks near educational institutions.
In its affidavit filed July 18, the central government had invited proposals from experienced agencies, organisations and institutions for framing guidelines for providing safe food in educational institutions.
Instructions
Earlier, in an affidavit before a division bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the health ministry said it had written to all states and union territories to consider issuing instructions for withdrawing carbonated beverages and junk food from school and college canteens.
Justice Sikri said: "You have written to various states governments about the harmful effects caused by consuming junk food. But this does not solve the problem as it won't prevent selling of junk food near institutional areas."
The court also sought an action taken report from the government by November 2. It also asked the central government about the steps taken to create awareness among the young generation about the "harmful effects of increased consumption of junk food".
