New Delhi: The Congress on Monday took a swipe at the Modi government after the Maharashtra government moved the Bombay High Court against several food safety regulations. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh questioned whether Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was sending a subtle message to the New Delhi establishment.

Ramesh highlighted that the Mahayuti/NDA government in Maharashtra had challenged the Central government in court, arguing that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was violating constitutional principles.

"The CM of Maharashtra seems to have suddenly woken up to such an outrage that has been the hallmark of the Modi Govt. He and other Chief Ministers of NDA-ruled states were totally silent when Opposition-ruled states have been raising their voices against the brazen and blatant usurpation of their powers by the Modi government as has happened most recently through the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 and the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2026," Ramesh said in a post on X.

He added that NDA-ruled states remained silent earlier when their powers and those of panchayats enshrined in MGNREGA were "emasculated" through the VB-G RAM G.

"Is the Maharashtra CM sending a subtle message to the New Delhi establishment," Ramesh asked.

High Court petition details

The Congress leader's comments follow a petition filed by the Maharashtra government through the State Commissioner of Food Safety in the Bombay High Court. The state claimed that the FSSAI has unconstitutionally established a parallel enforcement regime that usurps state powers.

According to the petition:

  • Decentralised framework: The primary intent of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSA) was to decentralise food regulation, executing enforcement through the State Commissioner of Food Safety and designated officers.

  • Central overreach: Subsequent amendments and regulations issued by the Centre and FSSAI have "steadily dismantle[d] the decentralised regime."

  • Creation of unauthorised roles: The plea contends that the FSSAI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) exercised powers unlawfully by creating posts such as 'Central Food Safety Officer' and 'Central Licensing Authority', which are foreign to the statutory framework of the Act.

The Maharashtra government has urged the High Court to quash these amendments and stay a May 2023 order restricting state officers from inspecting centrally licensed food units.

Key points of dispute

IssueState Government Position
Statutory PowerReasserts that food safety enforcement belongs to state-designated officers under the FSSA 2006 framework.
Central EnforcementChallenges the validity of 'Central Food Safety Officers' and 'Central Licensing Authorities'.
Inspection RestrictionsSeeks to overturn a May 2023 directive that prevents state officers from inspecting centrally licensed units.

(PTI)