Is rock salt from Pakistan getting sold in India?
Only a matter of “true to salt” Mahatma Gandhi shook the foundations of the mighty British Empire by the Salt Satyagraha. Can manipulation of salt quality and prices harm the government? Big companies were not allowed in the salt business till the Tata’s proposal to recover salt as a by-product was approved. Edible salt or table salt used to be sold at very cheap rates. During monsoon prices would shoot up, especially in the NE states and Bangladesh to up to 200 a kg. Sambhar salt was the best but quantity constraints made sea salt popular. The other variety was rock salt from the Mandi salt mines in HP, but it’s quantity too was limited. In order to meet the shortage, the British had built Gola Howrah to maintain stocks. Now Tata rock salt(sendha, though the then Salt Commissioner had once clarified that rock salt is different from sendha namak) is sold @120/kg. Do the consumers take it to be rock salt? There is no Fssai certification also on the pack. Chances of adulteration with red sandstone dust exist due to enormous profit. Besides, it is produced or packed in West Bengal and it is here that hackles are raised. In Pakistan consumers use only rock salt because there are most of the mines. Is rock salt from Pakistan getting sold in India? It can be the biggest health hazard if quality is compromised or weaponised by Pakistan. Government may like to clarify in the public interest!
M L Gupta
