Bangalore: Centre to rethink on proposed arecanut ban - Gulam Nabi Azad
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Dec 27: The Centre has decided to have a ''rethinking” on the move to ban arecanut.
This was disclosed by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Gulam Nabi Azad on Friday.
''We have put a hold (the decision) on the proposed arecanut ban," he said speaking to reporters after reviewing various schemes of the Health and Medical Education departments.
Azad said pressure from Karnataka’s MPs, MLAs and State Government, especially Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as also from farmers was the reason for the reversal of the government’s decision.
''The UPA Government has decided to have a rethinking on the proposed ban on arecanut cultivation following pressure from various quarters,” the Union minister said.
A delegation led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met him in the national capital a few days ago and urged not to impose ban on arecanut.
Lakhs of families mainly in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada and malnad districts of Chikmagalur and Shimoga of the State depended on the crop for their livelihood.
Amal Pusp, Director, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, had written a letter to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on September 6, 2013 to examine the scientific evidences on the harmful effects of arecanut with a view to initiating necessary action to classify the nut as an injurious substance
He had suggested prohibition of the use of arecanut on the basis of scientific evidence on the reported harmful ingredients in arecanut as ingredient in any food product in conformity with the objectives of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.