Shimla, Apr 9 (Reporter) In a significant move aimed at safeguarding public health, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to confirm whether canteens and messes in educational and healthcare institutions under the Health Department are functioning in compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The directive came during proceedings in the case Court on its own motion versus State of Himachal Pradesh and others, which initially emerged from a complaint about exorbitant mess charges raised by the Student Nursing Association. However, the court has since broadened the scope of the case to address food safety concerns in public institutions. A recent communication from six students — Aakriti Sharma, Riya Kutahria, Ishita Bhardwaj, Kanchan Sharma, Shreya Jaswal, and Kritika Thakur — claiming to be new office bearers of the Student Nursing Association, sought to withdraw the petition. The Court, however, noted that these individuals were not among the original complainants, which included Angel Negi, Ankita Shandil, Shivani Vashist, Vijay Laxmi, and Shagun Chaudhary. The Court has allowed Respondent No.4, the mess operator, two weeks to file a reply. It also demanded proof of licensing and compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, particularly Sections 26 and 31, which cover food safety obligations, hygiene, and licensing requirements. The Court expressed concern that the current reply does not clarify whether the mess operator holds a valid food business licence or employs food handlers free from infectious diseases. The bench, comprising Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Ranjan Sharma, emphasised the need for a broader compliance check. “It is in the public interest to ensure that mess and canteens in institutions and hospitals under the Health Department are adhering to food safety norms,” the court stated. The State has been ordered to submit an affidavit by May 31, 2025, outlining whether food operations in all such institutions comply with the law. The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on June 20, 2025...////...