Maharashtra's FSSAI challenge prompts Congress jibe at Modi government

Maharashtra has challenged several FSSAI regulations before the Bombay High Court. Congress says the move may signal Fadnavis's unease with New Delhi's centralisation.

In Short

• Petition says food law intended regulation to remain decentralised under state officers
• State alleges later amendments steadily dismantled the decentralised enforcement framework
• Plea disputes creation of central food safety and licensing posts

The Congress on Monday criticised the Modi government after the Maharashtra government moved the Bombay High Court against several food safety regulations, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh asked whether Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was sending a subtle message to the establishment in New Delhi.

Ramesh said the NDA government in Maharashtra had challenged the Modi government in the high court by alleging that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was violating the Constitution.

“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,” he said in a post on X.

Ramesh said NDA-ruled states had earlier remained silent when their powers and those of panchayats under MGNREGA were “emasculated” through the VB-G RAM G.

“Is the Maharashtra CM sending a subtle message to the New Delhi establishment?” Ramesh asked.

His remarks came days after the Maharashtra government approached the Bombay High Court against several food safety regulations. According to PTI, the state government alleged that the FSSAI had unconstitutionally created a parallel enforcement system that took over the state’s powers.

The petition, filed through the State Commissioner of Food Safety, said the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, was intended to decentralise food regulation. It said the Act was earlier enforced through the State Commissioner of Food Safety and designated officers.

The plea alleged that the Centre and the FSSAI had subsequently introduced several amendments that “steadily dismantle the decentralised regime”.

It also alleged that the FSSAI chief executive officer had unlawfully exercised powers by creating posts such as “Central Food Safety Officer” and “Central Licensing Authority”. The plea argued that these roles were not part of the Act’s legal framework.

The Maharashtra government has asked the high court to quash the amendments and regulations that it claims are unconstitutional. It has also sought a stay on a May 2023 order that restricts state officers from inspecting centrally licensed units.

The dispute centres on Maharashtra’s claim that the FSSAI’s regulations have taken away powers granted to state authorities, prompting the Congress to question the state government’s challenge to the Centre.

- Ends