Southern States - Pondicherry   

`Milk adulterated with earthworm, urea'

By Our Staff Reporter

Pondicherry April 17. The former Local Administration Minister, Theni C. Jayakumar (TMC), today alleged during question time in the Assembly that milk sold through some private agencies in Pondicherry was totally adulterated. Earthworm and urea were being used by sellers and this adulterated milk was freely available in the market. He said that the official machinery should take up routine check of the quality of milk and serious action should be taken against adulterators.

To his question whether the government was aware of adulteration in such commodities as edible oil, milk and foreign made liquors sold in Pondicherry, the Health Minister, E. Valsaraj, said the government was quite aware of the situation and explained the steps taken to deal with the adulterators.

Mr. Jayakumar said there were crafty dealers who were selling products escaping the clutches of law. He regretted that a full-fledged team of officers was not available with the health authorities to inspect and book cases against the offenders.

The Minister said 276 samples of different consumer products were collected and checked for their purity. Twenty items were found to be adulterated. The drive would continue. Samples of flavoured milk were particularly checked and adulteration was found in some cases.

M. A. S. Subramanian (DMK) said the complaint made by Mr. Jayakuamr that milk sold through private sources was adulterated with earthworms was really a serious matter. The government should not be slack but go into the complaint in the larger interest of the health of the public, particularly of babies.

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