Food businesses asked by FSSAI not to file false, misleading annual returns
Compliance with requirements is paramount for safe food ecosystem, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said in a post on X.
Earlier this month, the FSSAI wrote to the food safety units of all the states and sensitised about the must-be-followed compliances.
FSSAI had in December 2020 mandated the filing of Annual Returns for 2020-21 onwards exclusively through the online FoSCoS platform.
Since then, the submission rate has significantly improved, FSSAI said in its communication the states and UTs.
These annual returns capture key information, including mandatory production details and currently non-mandatory compliance-related data.
To verify the credibility of the information, all Licensing Authorities must scrutinize the Annual Returns submitted by eligible FBOs under their respective jurisdictions.
Further, in case of detection of any discrepancies, inconsistencies, or false declarations upon scrutiny, necessary actions shall be initiated as per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and applicable regulations.
Further, FSSAI had in January 2024 introduced the provision in FoSCoS for FBOs to revise/update the already submitted Annual Returns to rectify inadvertent mistakes.
"All FBOs eligible for filing Annual Return are hereby reminded that submission of accurate and complete information in the Annual Return is mandatory. In cases where any correction or update is required, FBOs are advised to avail the revision/update facility at the earliest as per the timelines and fee structure prescribed in the said order," reads the FSSAI communication to the states dated July 7.
"It is further reiterated that furnishing false or misleading information shall attract penalty under Section 61 of the FSS Act, 2006; therefore, timely correction of errors is essential to avoid penal action," the July 7 order further reads. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Simpler GST structureas govt pushes reform
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced a major overhaul of the goods and services tax regime, hinting at lower rates on most items by Diwali, with people aware of the plans adding that most of the goods currently taxed at 12% could drop to 5% and most of those in the 28% bracket could shift to 18% under a proposed structure that will also have a 40% rate for what are considered sin or luxury goods. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on 79th Independence Day, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI) Speaking from the Red Fort ramparts on the 79th Independence Day, Modi said his government would implement 'next-generation GST reforms' that would substantially reduce the tax burden across the country, particularly benefiting farmers, the middle class and small businesses. Since GST is a consumption tax, the ultimate beneficiary will be the consumer. 'This Diwali, I am going to make it a double Diwali for you. This Diwali, you fellow countrymen are going to get a very big gift,' Modi said, adding that after eight years of GST operations, 'the need of the hour is that we should review it once.' People aware of the matter in the government later detailed the proposal: a simplified two-slab structure replacing the current four-tier system that has operated since GST's launch on July 1, 2017 is being considered. The reforms, according to these people, will make everyday essentials significantly more affordable — from groceries and medicines to televisions and washing machines. Agricultural equipment, bicycles, and even insurance and education services are set to become cheaper, delivering direct relief to households and farmers while boosting consumption across the economy. Under the proposed framework, most goods and services would be taxed under two categories — 5% and 18% rates — with a 40% 'demerit' levy on items that currently attract the compensation cess. This will effectively whittle down the existing structure that includes of 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% brackets, along with a compensation cess for luxury and sin goods. As per law, the compensation cess will cease to exist after March 31, 2026. The new 40% levy is being considered for the goods in the last category. The people cited above added that '99% of items' currently in the 12% slab will move to the lower 5% bracket, and 90% of goods in the 28% category will shift to 18%. The Centre has forwarded its proposals to the Group of Ministers examining rate rationalisation, which will place recommendations before the GST Council — the apex federal body on indirect taxation comprising finance ministers from all states and chaired by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The council is empowered to accept the proposal, with or without modification, or reject it. 'We have discussed with states and we are bringing next-generation GST reforms that will reduce the tax burden across the country,' Modi said. 'Tax on items the common man uses will be reduced substantially. Our MSMEs will benefit hugely. Daily use items will become cheaper, which will also strengthen our economy.' One of the people cited above added that, 'there is a near consensus to rationalise the GST rates. Some opposition parties are even keen to reduce the number of slabs to just one, which is difficult in the Indian situation because tax rates for items used by the common people, and luxury items used by the rich cannot be the same.' This person added that the council is expected to meet by October with a final decision, as indicated by Modi, expected prior to Diwali in the latter half of the month. The restructuring would make essential items such as food products, daily-use goods, agricultural equipment, televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, medicines, education and insurance significantly cheaper. 'The common man, particularly the middle class would be the biggest beneficiary,' the person mentioned above said, citing examples: Items currently taxed at 12% — including condensed milk, dried fruits, frozen vegetables, sausages, pasta, jams, namkeens including bhujiya, tooth powder, feeding bottles, carpets, umbrellas, bicycles, utensils, furniture, pencils, handbags made of jute or cotton, and footwear under ₹1,000 — could see rates drop to 5%. Similarly, goods in the 28% bracket such as cement, air-conditioning machines, dishwashers, monitors, projectors, set-top boxes and television sets including LCD and LED models could become cheaper at 18%. However, around half-a-dozen 'demerit' items, such as cigarettes and online gaming, would face a new 40% tax rate, replacing the current compensation cess structure. Special rates would remain unchanged, with diamonds continuing to attract 0.25% and gold and silver maintaining 3% taxation, which are mainly for exports after value addition. Petroleum products would stay outside the GST framework. 'We started the review by setting up a high-power committee and also held discussions with the states,' Modi explained during his address. With most states governed by the BJP and its allies, the proposals are expected to gain approval with some ease. Beyond rate rationalisation, the GST Council would also consider proposals for further ease of compliance using technology and faster refunds to exporters, officials said. Tax experts hailed the proposed changes as transformative for India's economic landscape. 'Moving to a two-rate GST structure will put India at par with advanced economies which have a low rate for essentials and another rate for everything else,' said MS Mani, partner at Deloitte India. 'Classification issues and disputes will significantly reduce if we get a two-rate structure.' However, Mani cautioned that 'the absence of anti-profiteering provisions now would make it incumbent for businesses to self-regulate and pass on the reductions to the consumers.' Saurabh Agarwal, partner at EY India, described the reforms as 'essential structural changes' designed to build economic resilience. 'The Prime Minister's vision for GST 2.0 is a timely and strategic move to build a resilient Indian economy,' he said. 'By addressing the inverted duty structure, we are unlocking crucial working capital and making our exports more competitive on the global stage,' Agarwal added. 'Simultaneously, rationalising rates will boost domestic consumption, creating a powerful buffer against external shocks.' He said simplifying compliances for MSMEs would help bring down costs and make their products competitive in the market. 'These reforms will strengthen India's manufacturing capabilities and make our economy more self-reliant and agile in a volatile global landscape.' The government expects to offset revenue losses through an expanded tax base and improved compliance, with officials confident that the broader economic benefits would quickly compensate for any initial revenue shortfall. The announcement marks the most significant reform to India's indirect tax structure since GST's introduction eight years ago, which at the time merged a web of local and federal levies into a simpler system.
Economic Times
4 hours ago
- Economic Times
Work underway on 10 new nuclear reactors: PM Modi
Synopsis Prime Minister Modi announced India's commitment to energy independence through nuclear power reforms, opening the sector to private investment. With work underway on 10 new nuclear reactors, India aims to increase nuclear power generation capacity tenfold by 2047. The nation has already achieved its goal of sourcing 50% of its energy from clean sources ahead of schedule. ANI New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India has introduced major reforms in the nuclear power sector and opened the doors in this segment to the private sector as the country aims to move towards energy the nation on Independence Day, the prime minister said work is underway on 10 new nuclear reactors as India is moving to increase nuclear power generation capacity by over tenfold by 2047. "Keeping in mind the future of energy, Bharat is also undertaking major initiatives in nuclear energy," he said. To have an active partnership with the private sector towards achieving this goal, the FY26 Union budget had proposed to bring amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage two Acts were introduced in the context of a state-owned nuclear thrust. The idea now is to encourage private sector participation as the clean energy requirement is set to rise in line with India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. "We are dependent on many countries for our needs for petrol, diesel and gas... It is important to make the country 'atmanirbhar' in energy," he prime minister stressed the importance of energy independence, saying this will be done for the bright future of youth and for the welfare of farmers. "Reform is a continuous process. As time progresses and situation arises, we need to keep reforming," Modi the world debates global warming, India has achieved its target of meeting 50% of its energy needs from clean sources in 2025, five years ahead of timeline. The country's solar power capacity has increased 30 times in 11 years, he added. India is making new dams so that hydro power can be developed and we get clean energy, and investing in green hydrogen mission.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
India to launch deep water exploration mission: Modi
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced the National Deep Water Exploration Mission to achieve energy security. Prime Minister Narendra Modi salutes during address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on 79th Independence Day. (ANI) 'We are preparing to extract deep ocean resources such as reserves of oil and gas,' Modi said in his Independence Day speech. Terming the mission as 'Samudra Manthan' (the mythical churning of the sea), he said the initiative will be executed in 'Mission Mode'. India is the world's third largest crude oil consumer after the US and China. It imported 232.7 million tonnes of crude worth $157.5 billion in 2024-25 . The country imports over 88% of crude oil it processes and also exports various refined products. 'A large part of the budget is spent on bringing in petrol, diesel, and gas. Lakhs and crores are spent on this. If we had not been dependent on the budget, that money would have been used for the future of my country's youth, fighting poverty and the welfare of the farmers,' Modi said. 'That money would have been used to change the situation in my country's villages. But we have to give it to the foreigners. Now we are working towards becoming self-reliant,' he said. The Prime Minister also stressed on achieving self reliance in the critical mineral sector. 'We need self reliance in the critical mineral sector also because this addresses defence, energy, and technology needs. That is why we have launched the National Critical Mineral Mission. There are over 1200 exploration sites under this,' Modi added. With focus on achieving self reliance across all sectors, the Prime Minister said in the last 11 years, solar energy production has increased by 30 times in the country. He also announced enhancing nuclear and solar energy production by manifold. 'Keeping the energy of the environment in mind, keeping the energy sectors in mind, India is taking very big initiatives In nuclear energy, 10 new nuclear reactors are working rapidly. By 2047, By the time India celebrates 100 years of independence, we aim to increase our nuclear energy capacity tenfold,' he said. 'When the world is worried about global warming, I want to tell the world that India has decided that by 2030, India will provide 50% of clean energy. This was our goal for 2030. See the determination and power of my brothers and sisters, we have achieved it by 2025. We have achieved the goal five years in advance. We are as sensitive to the world as we are to nature,' he said. India has surpassed its target of installing 50% of its power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, achieving one of its key nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement five years ahead of schedule, the union cabinet said last month. 'The pursuit of energy security is paramount for a rapidly growing economy. Given India's 2070 net zero target, it might be challenging to get investments from the private sector for the deep sea oil and gas exploration as by the time such long gestational investments fructify, India might be on a path to decisively reducing its emissions,' said Vaibhav Chaturvedi, Senior Fellow at Council on Energy, Environment and Water.
