In view of the increasing price of salt across the State, demand is being raised for controlling its price like other items such as potato and onion.
While other consumer goods’ prices are largely affordable, the salt imported from other States is sold at Rs 17 to Rs 18 a kg in the market.
Annually, around 3.50 lakh tonne of salt is required for domestic and commercial purposes in Odisha while the production has been confined only to 40,000 tonne.
Most of the farmers have quit salt making in the coastal districts. The salt that is used for cooking is mostly imported from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. The salt used in factories and electricity work is being imported from Andhra Pradesh.
The plan to produce 70,000 tonne in the State by 2020 seems in files of the State Government. The farmers in Ganjam, the highest salt producing district in the State, are turning away from salt making. The situation is similar in other districts, including Baleswar and Puri.
As the salt production is quite inadequate in the State, the Government is not able to put a cap on the price of the processed salt, which is sold at Rs 17-18 per kg.
The State Government had prepared a blueprint to provide iodised salt at a rate of Rs 3 a kg through the Government-run kiosks after people suffered from thyroid disorder for using non-iodised salt. However, the proposed scheme has hit red tape.
The State Government, which is providing rice at Rs 1 and controlling the prices of potato and onion, should take similar steps in case of salt, suggest many.