Director General Sindh Food Authority Imran Bhatti has said that efforts are being made to issue licenses within 7 days. Informative Campaigns and seminars will be organized for awareness. Work on the mobile food testing lab is progressing rapidly and it is expected to be operational soon. He said this while addressing a luncheon held in his honor at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI).
KATI President Faraz-ur-Rehman, KITE Limited CEO Zubair Chhaya, Senior Vice President Nighat Awan, Vice President Muslim Mohammadi, Standing Committee Chairman Umar Sun, members and senior officials were also present on this occasion.
DG Sindh Food Authority added that they are simplifying the process of licensing in the province and making it online. If a member has any problem, issue, or complaint in this regard, he can contact him directly. Bhatti said that applications for licenses before 2018 will be given priority. Imran Bhatti informed that thousands of applications for licenses are currently pending. Awareness campaigns and seminars will help to improve quality in the industry, he added. Bhatti further said that the new entrants in this sector are requested to have knowledge of the required quality and standard before starting a business, generally, people in the industry express ignorance. The authority conducts indiscriminate action during inspections and penalties are imposed indiscriminately on suppliers of substandard items. Care is taken to disclose the names of the companies that have been fined. The DG Food Authority has suggested that industries hire experts in food and other fields from accredited institutions to help them maintain global standards. DG SFA further said that with the KATI’s platform I urge everyone to study the rules and regulations of Sindh Food Authority and implement them strictly.
Earlier, KATI President Faraz-ur-Rehman said that there are enormous problems in obtaining licenses in the food sector, and license issuance should be done on a priority basis. Companies are harassed in the name of raids and checks which should be noticed immediately. Rehman said that there are separate laws in the province and the federation, which are increasing the difficulties for the companies. Faraz-ur-Rehman said that the Food Authority should prepare equal laws with the cooperation of the federal government which can be followed. President KATI further said that the Sindh Food Authority should provide facilities to the license holders. Strict action should be taken against those who manufacture substandard and fake items while redressal of legitimate complaints should be done on a priority basis.
Zubair Chhaya, CEO of KITE Limited, said that Karachi has no infrastructure and no water, making it a big challenge to run industries. Many authorities impose fines without giving any prior notice and proper reasons. Chhaya suggested that the money earned through the fine should be spent on an advertising campaign in which those involved in the sector get information about the global standards and the authority’s standards. Zubair Chhaya said that the Sindh Food Authority should first conduct an operation against the manufacturers of fake products where illegal and substandard products are being manufactured. It is the responsibility of the Sindh Food Authority to improve the quality of the products that the people are using, and in this regard, awareness should be provided to the people, he added.
Senior Vice President Nighat Awan said that the staff of Sindh Food Authority should not harass and spread panic but make the rules and regulations public so that the industry can follow them easily. Awan said that the series of meetings and consultations should be done regularly.
Vice President Muslim Mohammadi said that officers come after office hours for checking and issue fines or challans in a hurry, which is spreading a negative impression. Mohammadi said that considering the current economic conditions, the amount of fine should be reduced.
Chairman of the Standing Committee Umar Sun said that awareness campaigns, seminars and workshops should be organized to implement the rules and regulations to ensure the production of goods according to international standards. Umer said that a one-window operation should be organized for the convenience of those setting up new industries and a help desk should be established by appointing a focal person in Kati.
Photo Caption: KATI President Farazu-ur-Rehman and CEO KITE Zubair Chhaya presenting the shield to Sindh Food Authority Director General Imran Bhatti. Nighat Awan, Muslim Mohammadi and Umar Qasim Umar Sun are also present.