Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jun 10: "The state government has not taken any decision on Maggi Noodles yet, as we not received any scientific report so far. The government cannot blindly ban Maggi," said health minister U T Khadar.

Addressing a press meet at the Circuit House here on Wednesday June 10, Khadar said, "We had sent the samples to CFTRI, Mysuru but it rejected and asked the samples to be sent to NABL. We have sent the samples to two labs - Robust Materials Technology Ltd which found the lead content within permissible limits, and to NABL in Peenya which found 0.053 grams of MSG in Maggi Noodles.

"However, there is no clarity on it in the Food Safety Act. We have sent the report to The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and once we get directions, we will take appropriate action," he said.

"We have already given directions to withdraw Maggi stocks from stores. But we are focussing not only on Maggi but six other brands as well and have already sent their samples to labs for testing," Khadar added.

He further said that the President of India has given his nod to the Karnataka Compulsory Service Training by Candidates Completed Medical Courses Bill, 2012, makig rural service compulsory for medical students in the state.

"This would have solve the problem of shortage of doctors in rural areas. A meeting has already been held with officials concerned to ensure that the order is implemented soon and is executed efficiently," he added.

"As many as 6,675 MBBS and 2,988 PG doctors will be writing their final exams this year, and those who pass will be assigned rural service. They will be serving in the 2,353 primary health centres in the state, 146 taluk hospitals and 30 district hospitals.

"The timing of primary health centres which are usually open from 8 am to 4 pm will be extended to 8 pm, and two additional doctors will be appointed for each primary health centre to work from 4 pm to 8 pm," he added.

"To monitor the system, there will be a committee headed by an MLA in every taluk, a district committe under the DC, and a state committee under the health department. The cabinet has already given approval to appoint 983 PG and 350 MBBS docts for government hospitals. The issue of salary increment has been already discussed and the proposal has been sent to the finance department, and approval is awaited," he informed.

Commenting on the recent gram panchayat elections, Khadar said, "I congratulate the voters of my constituency on voting for Congress-backed canidates. I will continue to support development work irrespective of who has been elected."

Regarding road development he said, "Rs 1.6 crore has already been sanctioned for road development from Talapady highway to Durgaparemeshwari Temple, Devipura and Kinya. We have also got approval to prepare detailed project report for the construction of road costing Rs 2.5 crore from Deralakatte to Adkarpadavu via Mangalore University and Parande Barua."

'Don't need to apologise to SDPI'

When asked about SDPI's demand for apology from him in the wake of his allegations that BJP had funded SDPI against Congress, Khadar said, "They (SDPI) are not even fit to be counted as a party. I do not have to apologise to such communal parties. Their initial agenda was social service but later it changed. In many like Bantwal, Sajipa and Bajpe SDPI has created problems. We dont have to bother about SDPI."

'Don't give religious colour to yoga'

On the issue of International Yoga Day to be observed on June 21, Khadar said, "Yoga is an Indian traditional practice and given religious colour to aspects of education and health is not good. Whoever wants to do yoga should be allowed to do it. The entire world is practising Yoga. I too reduced my weight from 95 to 75 kg by doing yoga regularly. Let people do it as an exercise. The chief minister will inaugurated the Yoga Day in Bengaluru."

Asked to comment on the withdrawal of cases against PFI and KFD, he said, "The state government did not withdraw cases against habitual offenders. Only cases against innocents have been dropped, and they include equal number of innocents from both communities. I have also asked the state government to drop cases against innocents in the Ullal riots."

T K Sudhir, and Melwyn and others were present.