In a major move, State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Saryu Roy today stopped the fresh tender for procuring salt in view of the recent controversy over alleged sale of adulterated and expired stock.
Addressing mediapersons in Jamshedpur this evening Food and Civil Supplies Minister Saryu Roy made it clear that they will go for a fresh tender only after the cabinet's approval.
"After thorough consideration, the fresh tender for procuring salt was about to be floated today. But, in view of the salt controversy which went viral in social media since yesterday we have decided to put a stop on salt purchase. I have asked the department secretary to review the matter within a week so that a fresh decision is taken by the cabinet," said Roy talking to newsmen at the local Circuit House.
Roy said that the consignment of stock at the disposal of public distribution system has been certified by the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.
The Minister said the salt which are sold through PDS outlets are double fortified salt which contain Ferrous Fumarate. The double fortification of salt with both iodine and iron helps in reducing both anemia and iodine-deficiency disorders.