RAIPUR: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Chhattisgarh government's "Amrit salt" scheme, opposition Congress has raised questions over the quality of salt being supplied to tribals in Bastar by a Gujarat firm, which allegedly did not have mandatory license and certification from The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
"The salt being supplied to tribals of Bastar did not mention FSSAI license number and details of nutrition contents and it mention a license date of 15-5-1990. Food Safety and Standards Act came in 2006 and its rules were framed in 2011", Chhattisgarh state Congress president Bhupesh Baghel and former food minister Mohammad Akbar said at a press conference on Tuesday.
The Congress leaders displayed to the media packets of all popular brands of salt available in the market and the packets of salt being supplied under Chhattisgarh government's Amit Namak scheme to drive home their point that the salt packets, being supplied by a firm based at Gandhidham, Gujarat, did not contain details as required under the provisions of Food Safety Standards Act.
"Now, celebrities who had endorsed Maggi instant noodles are now facing criticism. During his visit to Bastar on May nine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised state BJP government's "Amrit Namak" scheme," Baghel said adding that the state government purchase salt worth about Rs 72 crore every year to distribute it to tribals free of cost.
Pointing out that even in the past this salt has failed quality tests and state-corruption bureau was also probing into the deals, the Congress leaders demanded that the existing stock of salt be sealed and sent for testing to verify its quality standards. They said the registration number and date mentioned on these salt packets was not in conformity with the provisions of FSSA, 2006 and manufacture, sale and supply of such items with proper license is an offence under the Act.
Demanding a probe and action into the matter, Congress leaders said state's food minister and chairman and top officials of state civil supplies corporation, which is procuring salt for distribution, are liable to face action under the provisions of the Act.
State's Food and civil supplies minister Punnulal Mohile could not be reached for his comments.
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