Decision on sale of non-iodised salt to be reviewed

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 30. The decision of the Government to lift the ban on sale of non-iodised salt is to be reviewed. This was stated here today by the new Union Health Minister, Dr. C.P.Thakur.

A meeting of experts would be convened soon and the matter would be taken up with the Cabinet and the Prime Minister, he said, addressing his maiden press conference as the Health Minister.

Dr. Thakur, who is a doctor-turned politician and hails from Bihar, said iodisation of salt had certainly been very beneficial in meeting the problem of goitre and other complications arising out of iodine deficiency and this had been demonstrated amply, particularly in west Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

The Union Health Secretary, Mr. Javed Chaudhury, however, defended the recent decision of the Government to lift the ban on the sale of non-iodised salt and said the issue was not whether iodised salt was good or not. ``There is no doubt that it was highly beneficial. But, what is at stake is whether consumption of iodised salt should be compulsory or voluntary'', he said.

He also disclosed that the Government was considering a proposal to subsidise iodised salt and sell it through the Public Distribution System in areas with high iodine deficiency, besides launching a massive public awareness programme on the benefits of iodised salts.

Outlining other priority areas before his Ministry, Dr. Thakur said special efforts would be made to bring down the increasing incidence of HIV/ AIDS.

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Section  : National
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