The authorities are required to show ‘soul deep’ concern to ameliorate the sufferings of people caused by food adulteration in the state, the J&K high court said on Saturday, even as the government submitted that it will soon set up technologically advanced laboratories in Srinagar and Jammu.

The authorities tasked with implementing the Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006 have “exhibited only skin-deep concern” towards the sufferings of the people and they need to show “soul-deep concern”, a bench of justices Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Ali Mohammad Magrey said while hearing suo-moto Public Interest Litigation.

“This is not the question of a small water body and encroachments on it which we can demolish. It concerns the health of all of us, rich and poor, ruler and the ruled. Everybody’s health is involved in this issue but there is sad state of affairs,” the bench said.

Last month, the court said the people of the state have been ‘left at the mercy of God’ as there are no laboratories and other paraphernalia available to check food adulteration in the state.