Home ›› 22 Nov 2021 ›› Front
The High Court has directed authorities concerned to submit a list of Miniket and Nazirshail rice producers – who manufacture these varieties by cutting and polishing rice grains in auto mills.
A bench of justices Md Ashfaqul Islam and Md Ikbal Karim gave the order on Sunday in response to a writ petition filed by the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).
Authorities will have to submit this list before the court within the next four months, said advocate Manzill Murshid, who submitted the writ petition. Deputy Attorney General Qazi Mainul Hasan represented the state in the court.
The Cabinet, principal secretary of Prime Minister’s Office, secretaries of home, health, food, agriculture, and commerce ministries, director general of the Department of Environment, rapid Action Battalion, Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute, BRRI, BARI, deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of seven districts, and president and secretary of Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Mill Owners’ Association have been made respondents in the petition.
The High Court also issued a rule asking respondents to explain in three weeks why the inactiveness of authorities should not be declared illegal, and why an order should not be given to stop such activities.
The court also asked the respondents to explain why an order should not be issued to formulate a guideline to stop marketing of this kind of rice.
It then ordered the director generals of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, and the chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council to submit a research report on whether the rice cutting process is causing any health risks and loss of nutritional value.
During Sunday’s hearing, advocate Murshid said, “Businessmen are marketing such varieties of rice after cutting the grains in auto mills, which is impacting the nutritious value of rice. Bangladesh does not produce any varieties named Miniket and Nazirshail, but many businesses market rice under those names.
“The amount of Zinc goes down in the process of over-polishing and cutting of rice grains, while the amount of carbohydrates rises. These issues increase the risk of type-2 diabetes among consumers.”
He added, “There are scopes to take action in this regard under the Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009, The Special Power Act 1974, Food Safety Act 2013, and The article 18 of the constitution.
“Some corrupt businessmen are taking advantage of the authorities’ inactiveness, and posing health risks to people through food.”
