The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — Acting on a specific complaint, a Food Safety team of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, Pulwama, conducted an inspection of the premises of M/S Swat Industries, IGC Lassipora, Pulwama, engaged in the processing and packaging of drinking water under the brand name "ICY Wave".

According to reports reaching the news agency KNS, the team found during the inspection that the unit was operating without a valid FSSAI license for processing and packaging of drinking water.

It was further observed that the FSSAI license number 1102547000051, displayed on the bottles, had been obtained for wholesale/retail business of fruits and vegetables and did not cover the processing or packaging of drinking water.

As part of the enforcement action, the Food Safety team lifted two samples of packaged drinking water for analytical examination. In view of the violation, the premises were sealed and operations suspended. A Show Cause Notice was also served upon the person-in-charge/representative of the firm, requiring an explanation within three days.

Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, mandates licensing of Food Business Operators, as applicable under the Act. Packaged Drinking Water and Mineral Water have been classified under the High Risk Food Category, warranting enhanced regulatory oversight and compliance by manufacturers and processors.

Operating a food business requiring a license, without obtaining the requisite license, attracts penal action under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which provides for a penalty that may extend to ₹10 lakh. Action has been initiated for filing a complaint/prosecution under the relevant provisions of the Act before the competent court for operating the food business without the mandatory FSSAI license.

The FDA, J&K, reiterated that all Food Business Operators are required to obtain and maintain a valid FSSAI license/registration appropriate to the nature of their food business. The department said it would continue to undertake strict enforcement measures against violations of food safety laws to ensure compliance and safeguard public health.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness largely dry weather through the first half of October, with brief spells of rain and thunder expected on a few occasions, according to the Meteorological Centre Srinagar.

The weather office said September 27 would be generally dry, while September 28 would see a brief spell of rain, with light snow over higher reaches, along with thunder and gusty winds in a few districts during the afternoon.

September 29 and 30, as well as October 1 to 3, are expected to remain generally dry.

From October 4 to 6, the weather is expected to turn partly to generally cloudy, with light rain, light snow over higher reaches, thunder and gusty winds at a few places. October 7 and 8 are forecast to be generally dry, followed by another spell of partly to generally cloudy conditions with light rain, light snow over higher reaches, thunder and gusty winds at a few places from October 9 to 10.

The MeT Centre said current conditions were ideal for harvesting of apple and paddy crops, along with other farm operations. It also advised safe storage of harvested crops in view of the expected weather changes during the afternoon of September 28.

SRINAGAR — Ashok Koul, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) General Secretary (Organisation) in Jammu and Kashmir, has stepped down from the post he had held since 2012.

Koul confirmed that he had relinquished the charge and would return to his parent organisation. He also said age was one of the factors behind his decision.

Koul has over the years been involved in the BJP’s organisational work across Jammu and Kashmir, including grassroots-level activities in both regions. BJP leaders have credited him with strengthening the party’s organisational structure and expanding its network in the Union Territory.

A senior BJP leader described Koul’s departure as a “major setback”, particularly for the party’s Kashmir unit, and said he had worked extensively in the Valley after taking over the organisational post.

Koul’s resignation comes amid organisational changes within the BJP following Nitin Nabin’s appointment as party president.

On September 23, the BJP appointed Satish Poonia as its Jammu and Kashmir in-charge and Reena Kashyap as co-in-charge as part of a wider organisational reshuffle.

The changes followed a period of organisational activity in the J&K unit. As recently as September 24, Koul had participated in party programmes in Srinagar in his capacity as General Secretary (Organisation).

Recent BJP organisational meetings in Doda and other districts had also been chaired by Koul as the party’s General Secretary (Organisation), focusing on grassroots coordination and public outreach.

Sources said further changes could take place in the J&K BJP unit in the coming days.