Parliamentary panels to tackle essential commodities, pharmaceuticals, sugar content in packaged foo
New Delhi: Two key Parliamentary Standing Committees, led by prominent opposition leaders, have outlined their agendas to address pressing national concerns, including the availability of essential commodities, foodgrain management, and the regulation of pharmaceuticals.
The Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, chaired by DMK leader Kanimozhi, will focus on ensuring the availability of essential commodities, particularly petroleum products. The panel will also address issues surrounding foodgrain storage, including strategies to prevent wastage in FCI godowns, and explore ways to optimize foodgrain transportation via railways while modernizing the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Additionally, the committee will examine the regulation of packed commodities, with specific attention to sugar content in baby and other food products. Ethanol and biofuel production from sugar, sugarcane, and grains will also be reviewed, along with safeguarding consumer rights in the banking sector. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the National Test House (NTH) will come under scrutiny to assess their roles in quality assurance and product testing.
Meanwhile, the Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilisers, chaired by Trinamool Congress leader Kirti Azad, will investigate the rising prices of medicines and India’s progress toward self-sufficiency in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). The panel will evaluate the performance of regulatory authorities to curb the circulation of fake and spurious medicines.
The committee will also explore efforts to reduce plastic usage by reviewing the setup of plastic waste management centres. Additionally, it will assess the disinvestment of public sector fertilizer companies and explore ways to enhance sustainability in the sector.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
