Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal has sought the government’s response on the report which claimed toxic wheat was resulting in hairloss in Buldhana district. Citing the report of doctor and researcher Padma Shri Himmatrao Bawiskar, which found that an alarming 14 per cent selenium in wheat imported from Haryana and Punjab was causing health issues including baldness, Sapkal said it was a “serious public health issue and involves supply of sub-standard wheat through PDS.” “In mid-December, cases of severe hairloss and baldness emerged across 19 villages in three talukas of Buldhana district. Despite this, the government has not provided any scientific explanation. Laboratory tests confirmed that the contaminated wheat was the cause of hairloss. The wheat contained an alarming 14% selenium, far exceeding safe limits. Research shows that selenium levels up to 1.9% are not harmful, but excessive selenium can cause nausea, itching, and even diabetes-related issues. Dr Bawaskar submitted his findings to the government, but his report was dismissed outright,” Sapkal alleged. However, less than a week ago, state minister Meghna Bordikar, while responding to a question raised by MLC Satyajit Tambe during a discussion in the Legislative Council, claimed the cases of sudden hairloss in Buldhana district in December and January were not linked to consumption of wheat supplied from ration stores nor does it appear to have been caused by water contamination. Meanwhile, Congress MLC Dheeraj Lingade has filed a breach of privilege motion against Bordikar for denying that selenium was to blame. “Thousands of people in three talukas of Buldhana district have been suffering from severe hairloss, with cases of baldness increasing. What is causing this? While an investigation is needed, three months have passed and the government has yet to release a report on the reasons,” Sapkal said. Sapkal said the affected region falls under a saline belt and, after complaints, the government conducted an investigation. “However, they claim the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) report is still pending. Then why hasn’t the government sent its representative to follow up? Is ICMR located on the moon? The government is either trying to suppress or manipulate the report,” Sapkal alleged.
