Staff Reporter :
The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday cleared the way for Bangladesh Milk Producers’ Co-operative Union Limited (Milk Vita), a state brand milk producing company, to produce, distribute and sale of its pasteurized milk.
Chamber Judge of the Supreme Court Justice Md Nuruzzaman stayed for eight weeks a part of the High Court order that directed Milk Vita and 13 other companies to stop production, distribution and sale of pasteurized milk for five weeks.
The apex court Chamber Judge passed the order following a petition filed by Milk Vita challenging that part of the High Court order.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam appeared for Milk Vita. Another lawyer of Milk Vita Barrister Mohiuddin Mohammad Hanif said that the Supreme Court’s stay order would be applicable only for Milk Vita.
The Milk Vita can now produce, distribute and sale of its pasteurized milk, he said.
Citing the stay petition of Milk Vita, Hanif said the Milk Vita will face crisis if the High Court order remain in force.
The company will sort out problem and resolve it about pasteurized milk, the lawyer added.
On July 28, the High Court directed the authorities concerned to stop production, distribution, sale, purchase and consumption of pasteurised milk of 14 companies, including Milk Vita, registered under the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) for the next five weeks due to presence of antibiotics and lead in the milk, which are harmful for human body.
At the same time, the members of the public have been advised to be vigilant in the purchase and consumption of pasteurized milk.
The HC also asked the government and the 14 milk-producing companies to submit a report to the court on August 25 after complying with the order.
The HC bench of Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir passed the order and issued the rule after hearing on a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Tanzir Ahmed seeking necessary order in this regard.
After the SC order, Attorney General said, “Milk Vita sought stay on the High Court order. The Chamber Judge stayed the HC order for 8 weeks.”
Barrister Mohiuddin Mohammad Hanif said, “We do not have to cut off the head for headaches. In the order given by the High Court yesterday, milk growers will suffer huge losses and will be in disaster. Noting that, we sought to stay the High Court order in case of Milk Vita.”
“We have said that if milk contains antibiotics or other problems, it should be removed gradually. Sudden stops will make loss to the growers,” he added.
