The Manipur government has extended the last date of renewal of licenses or registrations of FBOs to November 15, 2023 without any penalty while stating that the ban on the internet has made it difficult for Food Business Operators to renew their Food Licenses/Registrations.
Due to suspension of internet services, the Food Business Operators have not been able to apply for renewal of their Food Licenses/ Registrations as well as to submit the annual returns (for Manufacturers and Importers) in the Food Safety Compliance System (FOSCOS) Portal of FSSAI since May, 2023, Kh Sasheekumar Mangang, Director of Health Services/Additional Commissioner of Food Safety, GoM stated in a notification.
Subsequently, timely application for renewal of licenses/ registrations and submission of Annual Returns by the aggrieved FBOs could not be done which has led to accumulation of late fines/ fees, the notice stated.
Therefore, considering the grievances and hardships faced by the Food Business Operators, the Competent Authority had decided to allow the renewal of expired licenses/registrations which had expired w.e.f from May 1, 2023 without any penalty, if the concerned FBOs apply for renewal of their expired license/registrations on or before November 15, 2023.
Further, the last date of submission of Annual Returns by the FBOs (Licensed Manufacturers and Importers) of the state has been extended to November 15, 2023 without any late fee, the Director of Health Services said.
Therefore, all the concerned affected Food Business Operators of the State of Manipur are informed to file the renewal applications and for submission of the Annual Returns on or before November 15, 2023 to avoid penalty or late fees, the notice stated.
