Farmers go on satyagraha as Goa bans non-iodised salt
Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji
A few non-government organisations and some traditional farmers
in Goa celebrated 50 years of India's independence with a unique
salt satyagraha -- they sold traditional salt as a protest
against the invasion of multinationals in the salt industry.
Beginning August 15, the state government has banned the sale
of non-iodised, traditional salt for human consumption. The satyagraha
was in protest against this decision, implemented as per the outlines
issued by the International Council for the Control of Iodine
Deficiency Disorder, courtesy WHO and UNICEF.
The NGOs and Opposition parties in the state allege it is
a multinational plot to monopolise the salt market by selling
iodized salt. "Goan salt contains iodine," claims BJP
MLA Manohar Parrikar.
The state government's sample survey, which shows iodine
deficiency among 49 per cent and goitre among 35 per cent of the
population, has become a bone of contention. These results mean
every second Goan suffers from iodine deficiency and every third
person suffers from goitre, though the health department figures
reveal that the malnutrition rate in Goa is much lower than the
national rate.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Wilfred De Souza -- himself a medical practitioner -- who insists on the
use of iodised salt based on the sample survey of only 133 people,
admits that no figures of the iodine deficiency in the last five
years are available. Neither has any systematic study been conducted
on the living conditions and eating habits of the Goans.
Given the state's proclivity for sea food, scientists claim Goans
will rarely suffer from iodine deficiency. Malnutrition exists
due to poverty, epidemics and diseases like malaria, on which
fronts very little has been done so far.
One of the few states that still bans non-iodised salt, Goa has
not digested the WHO theory of consuming iodised salt. Most Goans
still use traditional salt. The government has not banned sale
of non-iodised salt, it has only excluded its sale for human consumption.
A large quantity of salt is used as a fertiliser.
However, the salt industry, which has existed in Goa for 1,500
years, looks at the ban as yet another onslaught on traditional
professions. Though the agricultural land development panel was
appointed in 1988 after a violent agitation by salt farmers, its
recommendations concerning the upgradation of the salt industry
have not yet been implemented.
With over 200 salt pans in 13 villages of the Pernem,
Bardez, Tiswadi and Salcete talukas, Goa produces around 35,000 metric tons of salt annually. The Congress government, however, only pays lip service to the farmers instead of helping the industry to prosper.
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