HC concerned over use of chemical in fruits
The High Court yesterday observed that only god knows what type of chemicals are being mixed with fruits, as people’s kidneys and livers are getting damaged and they are being affected with complicated diseases including cancer after eating such fruits.
Fines imposed by mobile courts to dishonest traders for using harmful chemicals in fruits are not sufficient, the bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader observed while hearing a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, seeking necessary orders on this issue.
The HC bench yesterday wanted an explanation from the chairperson of National Board of Revenue (NBR) as to why it has not set up chemical detection machines at all land and sea ports to monitor whether chemical-laced fruits are imported.
The NBR chairman has been asked to submit the explanation by December 5, petitioner’s lawyer Advocate Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star.
On June 23, the HC ordered the NBR chairman to submit a report in three months on the progress for setting up such machines.
Yesterday, Deputy Attorney General Abdullah-Al-Mahmud Bashar told the HC that NBR is collecting funds in this regard.
The HC set December 5 for passing further order on the petition.
The court in a verdict in 2012 had directed the NBR chairman and the customs department to set up the machines.
The HC on May 20 this year directed the government to form teams to monitor fruit markets and warehouses across the country to prevent use of harmful chemicals.
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