Andhra bans non-iodised salt

Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in the country to implement the Centre's ban on non-iodised salt. The state government simultaneously made arrangements for supply of iodised salt through its public distribution (PDS) network in the state at Rs 4 a kg, a tad higher than the price of ordinary salt. The ban comes into effect from this month.

Coinciding with the commencement of sale of iodised salt through 42,000 government fair price shops on Monday, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy launched a 'State Coalition', involving various government departments and other organisations, including Unicef, to oversee an adequate iodine intake in order to protect people against diseases caused by the iodine deficiency.

The move would help improve the health of  people in rural areas. "The consumption of iodised salt will prevent iodine deficiency-related health problems as well as improve both physical and mental activity," Reddy said, adding, "This programme is being implemented only in the interest of people like those aimed at fighting iron deficiency problems, especially among girls, and mid-day meals."
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The government introduced iodised salt in mid-day meal programme in about 73 lakh schools across the state. The mid-day meal programme costs Rs 317 crore annually.

Local salt producers would be helped in adopting technologies to produce iodised salt in the coming days, finance & health minister K Rosaiah, said.

The annual consumption of salt in the state is estimated at 4.75 million tonnes, of which 27% is  iodised salt, Bhanwarlal, commissioner of civil supplies and ex-officio secretary to the government of Andhra Pradesh, said.