Title: Regarding ban on non-iodised common salt in India.
SHRIMATI V. RADHIKA SELVI (TIRUCHENDUR): Hon. Speaker, Sir, we came to know that the Union Government has decided to impose a ban on non-iodised common Salt in the entire country. As a first step in this regard, the non-iodised common Salts will be banned from August 15, 2005, as per the announcement made by the Union Health Minister, Dr. Ambumani Ramadoss.
We are well aware that common Salt is manufactured in our country by poor people. Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt Satyagrah Movement, popularly known as `Dandi Yatra’ took place in 1930. Now, we are celebrating the 75th year of the Gandhi’s Salt Satyagrah. From 1977 to 1979 Central Government had encouraged the small-scale Salt manufacturers by giving them railway wagons at concessional rates for supply of Salt. Due to the above concession given to the small scale Salt manufacturers, they not only started producing more Salt in our country but also exporting Salt to foreign countries.
If the selling of common Salt is banned, the livelihood of lakhs of poor salt workers, thousands of small scale manufacturers and merchants will be unnecessarily and unjustifiably affected, which will also create unemployment problem. Sir, I would like to bring to your kind notice that alcoholic liquors, cigarettes, bidis, pan parak, etc. which are injurious to health, are allowed to sell throughout the country, without any ban. But consumption of common Salt, which is not injurious to health, and which will not affect anybody’s health will be banned.
Out of the total production of Salt, only 40 per cent is used for human consumption and the major portion, that is, 60 per cent is used for industrial purposes.
MR. SPEAKER: You have effectively raised the issue.
SHRIMATI V. RADHIKA SELVI : Iodine is a chemical to be imported from foreign countries at heavy costs.
The common salt is sold at Re.1 to Rs.2 per kilogram but the price of iodised salt is Rs.5 to Rs.6 per kilogram. There is a hike in price of common salt. It will affect the poor people very much. Our beloved leader Dr. Kalingnar has written to our hon. Prime Minister and the hon. Health Minister on 22nd July, 2005 requesting him to kindly take care of the interests of the salt producers and at the same time, not to be against making of iodised salt. It is also necessary for keeping good health. Hon. Speaker, Sir, I request through you to kindly save the livelihood of lakhs of poor people and thousands of salt manufacturers and salt merchants.
MR. SPEAKER: That is why, I have allowed you to raise it. It is very well done. Shri Mahtab will associate with it.
SHRI B. MAHTAB (CUTTACK): I had been trying to raise this issue in ‘Zero Hour’ for the last three times. To my ill luck, it could not come. ‘Zero Hour’ was not held.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: There is no ‘Zero Hour’ under the rules.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI B. MAHTAB : I would like to mention here what my Sister has just now mentioned about iodised salt. In this manner, by this notification which is going to be implemented from 15th of August, an attempt is being made by the Government to market only the packaged salt. Iodised salt is being manufactured today in different sacks. At least 71 per cent of iodised salt is manufactured in Gujarat alone. Next comes Tamil Nadu. But the common salt is sold as it is and not packaged. An impression is being created throughout the country especially by this notification as though iodised salt is only the packaged salt. It is not so. How will a common user identify whether this salt is an iodised salt, if it is sold in open market in a loose manner? Do you mean to say that by selling iodised salt, we have to advertise only the packaged salt?
There is another economics which goes into with the packaged salt. This year is the year of 75th anniversary of ‘Dandi March’. I would request the Government led by the Congress Party to impress upon the Health Minister, at least to restrain him not to empower the Food Inspector who will go round the market places and hound up those businessmen, small traders saying that this is not the iodised salt. This way, the general public, in effect, will be at a loss and so also the salt workers. Thousands of salt workers are working not only in Gujarat or in Tamil Nadu but also in West bengal, in Orissa, in Maharashtra, in Rajasthan and in Andhra Pradesh. These are eight States where thousands of salt workers will be affected.… (Interruptions)
SHRI BRAJA KISHORE TRIPATHY (PURI): The Government should withdraw it.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I cannot compel him. He has done it, on his own, in two matters.
… (Interruptions)
MD. SALIM (CALCUTTA – NORTH EAST): Why are they doing it from 15th of August? It is ironical. It is re-engineering of independence process.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: The Health Minister is not here.
… (Interruptions)
THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD): I can only convey it to the Health Minister. I will convey it to the Health Minister.… (Interruptions)
SHRI BRAJA KISHORE TRIPATHY : They are killing the workers.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing will be recorded except what Shri Devendra Prasad Yadav speaks.
(Interruptions)*
MR. SPEAKER: It is not being recorded. आपका भाषण रिकार्ड में नहीं जा रहा है।
…( BªÉ´ÉvÉÉxÉ)
+ÉvªÉFÉ àÉcÉänªÉ : यह क्या हो रहा है ?
…( व्यवधान)