DHAKA: A High Court order for constituting food court and recruiting public analyst or food expert in the districts to prevent food adulteration is yet to be implemented even after the lapse of a year.

Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed was unaware of such an HC order.

“I don’t know anything about it... so I would not make any comment,” the Law Minister told banglanews24.com.bd when contacted.

Striking a note of surprise, Shafique said, “I do not understand why such a court in every district is required!”

He said the High Court can authorise criminal court and mobile court to take measures against food faking.

A division bench of the High Court had directed the government to form food courts and appoint food experts in all districts following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).

But Law Ministry sources said the order was not complied with.

The HC verdict directed local government ministry, food ministry, health ministry and law ministry to implement the decision. Thereafter, a joint meeting of the ministries took place, but it all halted there.

“It was not a duty of the Law Ministry to implement the Court’s order. The verdict should be implemented by those who are directed to do so. Law ministry has nothing to do in this case,” Shafique Ahmed told banglanews24.com.bd.

But Attorney-General Mahbub-e Alam said the court’s order has to be implemented by the ministry or department it was directed to.

“But it needs combined decision of several ministries for implementing some orders. It takes cabinet decision sometimes,” he added.

Secretary-General of HRPB Manzil Morshed expressed disappointment over the inaction.

BDST: 1759 HRS. AUGUST 23, 2010