A New India
Chapter 247 - 247: Blueprint of FSSAI

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of South Block as Prime Minister Rohan sat in his office, scanning through a dense set of reports.

His focus was unwavering, his brow furrowed as he examined the details of the newly passed Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act.

While the act was a milestone, Rohan knew its successful implementation hinged on several factors, one of the most critical being the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

The scheme was not merely about feeding children but ensuring their health, energy, and attentiveness in classrooms.

However he knew well the future with examples of corruption, substandard food quality, and logistical issues worried him deeply.

This couldn't be another initiative plagued by negligence and scams.

He needed a system to enforce stringent food safety standards, ensuring children received nutritious and safe meals.

The thought brought him to an idea he had been nurturing a regulatory body to oversee food safety across the nation.

A regulatory body from the future which if worked effectively could change the fate of many.

A knock on the door broke his concentration.

Neeraj, stepped in. "Sir, Health Minister D.P. Karmarkar is here to see you."

Rohan nodded. "Send him in."

Karmarkar entered, a seasoned politician with a keen understanding of public health challenges.

He was the Health Minister from 1957 in the orginal world, so he just fast forwarded his appointment.

He greeted Rohan with a firm handshake and settled into the chair across the desk.

"You called for me, Prime Minister?" Karmarkar asked, his tone curious yet respectful.

Rohan leaned forward, clasping his hands. "Yes, Karmarkar-ji. I wanted to discuss something crucial. With the passage of the Right to Education Act, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme is set to expand significantly. While this is a necessary step, it also opens the door to potential issues, poor food quality, contamination, corruption in procurement. We cannot allow this program to falter."

Karmarkar nodded solemnly. "You're right, sir. The scheme's success depends on the quality of meals provided. Children rely on these meals not just for sustenance but for their overall growth and ability to focus in school. But ensuring quality at such a scale will require a robust framework."

Rohan pulled out a neatly organized folder labeled FSSAI Blueprint and slid it across the desk. "I've been working on this. It's a proposal for a new regulatory body: the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Its primary goal will be to establish science-based standards for food and ensure safety across the entire supply chain, from production to consumption."

Karmarkar opened the folder, his eyes scanning the document. "Interesting. This would consolidate food safety regulations under one umbrella?"

"Precisely," Rohan said. "Currently, food safety responsibilities are scattered across various ministries and departments. This fragmented approach leads to inefficiencies, overlaps, and gaps. FSSAI will unify these efforts, streamlining the regulation process."

Karmarkar adjusted his glasses and began reading aloud from the document. "Key objectives of FSSAI: Setting science-based standards for food products, licensing and registration of food businesses, ensuring compliance through inspections, and conducting awareness campaigns about food safety and hygiene."

He looked up. "This is comprehensive. But how will it address corruption and ensure quality in something as expansive as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme?"

Rohan anticipated the question and pointed to a section of the blueprint. "FSSAI will implement a robust monitoring system, including mandatory licensing for all vendors involved in the scheme. Regular inspections will be conducted by trained food safety officers, and any non-compliance will result in swift penalties. Additionally, we'll involve independent third-party auditors to ensure transparency."

Karmarkar nodded, impressed but cautious. "What about the supply chain? Ensuring that raw materials meet standards is just as critical as monitoring the final product."

"That's another cornerstone of this plan," Rohan explained. "FSSAI will oversee the entire supply chain, starting from farms and warehouses to distribution centers and schools. Vendors will be required to source ingredients only from certified suppliers. Random sample testing will be conducted at every stage."

Karmarkar leaned back, tapping his pen against the folder. "And how do we ensure accountability at the state level? Food safety laws often fail in implementation due to lack of coordination between the center and the states."

Rohan leaned forward, his tone firm. "FSSAI will function as an autonomous body but will work closely with state governments. Each state will have its own food safety commissioner, who will report directly to the central authority. This dual structure will ensure both local accountability and central oversight."

Karmarkar's brows furrowed slightly. "Funding will be another issue. Establishing an organization of this scale requires significant resources."

Rohan smiled faintly. "We'll allocate funds from the central budget, but we'll also explore other avenue such as partnerships with private sector stakeholders, and nominal fees for licensing and registration of food businesses. But dont worry we can allot enough for it to function properly."

Karmarkar closed the folder and placed it on the desk, his expression thoughtful. "Prime Minister, this is an excellent proposal. If implemented effectively, it could revolutionize not just the Mid-Day Meal Scheme but food safety across the country. However, creating such a body will require legislative backing. Are you prepared to take this to Parliament?"

Rohan's response was immediate. "Absolutely. I want this act introduced in the next session. But before that, I need your support to refine this blueprint and build a coalition. Speak to your counterparts in the states. Get their input, their buy-in. This must be a collective effort."

Karmarkar nodded firmly. "Consider it done. I'll assemble a team to finalize the proposal and address any gaps. We'll be ready by the time Parliament reconvenes."

Rohan extended his hand. "Thank you, Karmarkar-ji. This is not just about food safety, it's about ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. And that starts with something as simple, yet vital, as a nutritious meal. Because if the nutrition given to our children is not proper then no need for others to attack us, sooner or later we will die on our own".

As Karmarkar left the room, Rohan leaned back in his chair.

He has once again changed the future.

He once read a report in 2024 about how IQ level of new generation of children was dropping which was attributed to the neglect in nutrition value of food.

This time he will make sure with a iron hand this doesn't happen.