It's govt vs judiciary over cola row

New Delhi: The government and judiciary in Karnataka are on a collision course over the ban on colas in educational institutions.

The Karnataka government has reimposed the ban on carbonated soft drinks in educational institutions. The first ban on sale of soft drinks came on August 14 after the pesticides in the Cola controversy.

Last week, the Karnataka High Court had lifted the ban in public places after hearing a petition by the cola manufacturers.

The government officials explained its power to impose the ban by stating that the earlier ban was imposed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, which came under the ambit of the Centre, not the states.

However, the ban has now been imposed in exercise of the powers under Article 162 of the Constitution, which relates the extent of executive powers of the state.

State health minister R Ashok said that the consumption of carbonated beverages was found to result in childhood obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, tooth cavities. He added that the government is also planning to ban all junk food from schools.