CPI-M accuses govt of defending cola cos

Attacking the government for "virtually defending" the cola companies, CPI (M) on Wednesday asked it to immediately notify standards to be maintained by soft drink manufacturers across the country taking cognizance of the recommendations of the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Joint Parliamentary Committee.

"The Health Minister has virtually defended the cola companies" in his statement on the matter, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said, demanding that the government should immediately notify the standards finalised by BIS in March this year.

He said the parliamentary panel had made several important recommendations after being set up in 2003. "All these recommendations should be taken into consideration while finalising the standards for nationwide application".

"It is absolutely necessary that uniform standards applicable to all such products all over the country be adopted. It will also remove the large-scale misgivings on the issue in public minds", Yechury said.

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