Salt pan workers flay govt ban on non-iodised salt

Iodine is present in appreciable quantities in rice, carrots, potatoes, cabbage and in non-vegetarian food as well, he pointed out. It is feared that theban will lay off thousands of workers, which include migrants as well. Said Baban Shilotri, “We have been earning our daily bread by manufacturing pure salt for generations now. As we do not have any other skills, the ban will leave us with nothing else but beg on the streets.” Another worker Babu added that he was contemplating learning a new trade to make a living if the government strictly imposed the ban.

The sangh also pointed out, “Salt iodisation is a secondary process, which can be done only after the manufacture of common salt. The government’s insistence on people consuming only iodised salt will not have any positive results, except for depriving Shilotris of their livelihood.”

The workers allege that by this move, the government is trying to protect MNCs, who are pegging their salt at a much higher price than that of pure salt. Added councillor Ashok Patil, the government should have reviewed reports from health organisations based on actual statistics and should have discussed the matterwith all small manufacturers’ associations before declaring the policy.

FDA officials said several cases of goitre had been reported from coastal areas and the mountainous regions, which prompted the government to ban non-iodised salt.