Home Minister Abdul Matin Chowdhury yesterday Iterated that Stern action would be taken against manufacturing . and marketing of adulterated and sub-standard edible oil. powder milk and medicines, reports BSS.

There would be ho leniency on the question of qaality control of these essential consumable items in the public Inter est. the Home Minister said.

Chowdhury was addressing a discussion meeting with the manufacturers and refiners of edible oil. importers of various food items including powder milk and related traders and businessmen at the'Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

He said the present democratic government Is determined to ensure the quality of various edible items including medicine. Chowdhury sought the cooperation of concerned manufacturers, importers and traders in this regard

President of FBCCI Mahbubur Rahman. Home Sec-

retary Azlmuddin Ahmed and a representative of Vegetable Oil Manufacturers Association also spoke on the occasion.

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Azlzul Huq and Additional Inspector General of Police In-charge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Shahidul Islam Chowdhury were present.

The Home Minister said the manufacturing and marketing of adulterated edible oil. substandard powder milk and spurious and fake drugs and medicines had posed as a very "serious and gave problem.”

Chowdhury said considering the public Interest any irregularities with regard to those items would continue to be» handled under the special powers act.

In this connection, he pointed out that the existing "pure food rule” and provisions of Bangladesh Standard Institution (BSI) were not strong enough to deter such malpractices

The Home Minister gave the assurance that collection of

samples and functioning of the agencies like Central Testing Laboratory and concerned departments would be streamlined

He urged the concerned manufacturers, traders and importers to be vigilant against such malpractices and added " the genuine people have nothing to fear

Chowdhury said the present democratic government was ready to solve protyems of business and trade through consultations with the con cerned people.

Home Secretary Azlmuddin Ahmed said the government had no option other than to apply special powers act when poisonous things are sold in the name of medicines and ed ible oil contained elements which are Injurious to health.

FBCCI President Mahbubur Rahman called for updating the "pure food rules" and the BSI provisions to handle the cases of adulteration axid marketing of sub-standard, spuri, ous and fake Items.