Milk in State has excess fluoride content: Minister

Milk samples from Karnataka are being rejected by other countries because of the presence of excess fluoride in cow and buffalo milk.

Animal Husbandry Minister T.B. Jayachandra, who revealed this in the Legislative Council on Thursday, attributed it to overexploitation of groundwater in several taluks. “It has come to our notice that groundwater has been exploited by over 130 per cent in 36 taluks, including Pavagada and Sira in Tumkur district. People in these taluks are forced to consume fluoride contaminated water. Cow’s milk sourced from these taluks also has fluoride,” he said.

Listing out the various laws enacted for the protection of child rights in the country, the Minister spoke about the importance of breastfeeding and how it was the right of a child. Intervening, BJP member Y.A. Narayanaswamy said fluoride had been found in breast milk of mothers in north Karnataka.

Acknowledging this, the Minister expressed concern over the violation of child rights in every field despite the prevalence of several laws. He said he would get all laws and rules pertaining to child rights enacted in the country compiled in a book.

Minister of State for Women and Child Development Umashree said measures would be initiated to strengthen the Karnataka State Child Rights Commission.

“We will study the functioning of child rights commissions in other States and emulate the best practices adopted there to strengthen the commission in our State,” she said.