Matter of jurisdiction: Food authority barred from operating in Cantt

Cantonments lie in the federal govt’s ambit, says Walton cantonment executive

LAHORE:

Cantonment authorities have asked the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) to stop conducting raids at food outlets in Cantt or issue licenses to them as they do not fall under the PFA’s domain, The Express Tribune has learnt.

In a letter on September 22, the Walton cantonment executive officer said that the PFA’s authority did not extend to Cantt areas as they were under the federal government’s jurisdiction.

The Walton Cantonment Board was authorised to issue licences and act as the regulatory body regarding matters of hygiene and quality at food outlets, restaurants and hotels in cantonment areas under the Cantonment Pure Food Act 1966 and 1967.

The provincial government established the PFA under Punjab Food Authority Act 2011 in 2012 with the purpose of “working on scientific principles and internationally recognised best practices to secure food safety and quality” in collaboration with manufacturers, food business operators, consumers and stakeholders. The PFA’s functions include the formulation and enforcement of food safety and quality standards, the registration and licensing of food manufactures and outlets, and laboratory accreditation of eatables. It used to operate only in Lahore but is now extending to Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and Multan divisions.

A senior official of the PFA said that food safety officers had raided food outlets in cantonment areas as under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the concurrent list had been abolished and now there were only federal and provincial lists. He said checking food quality and issuing licences was now a provincial subject and the PFA was authorised to issue licences and conduct raids at all food outlets, hotels and restaurants. He said the issue would be taken up at the appropriate forum for decision shortly.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2014.