NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today sought the response of the Centre and various state governments on a plea for checking sale of synthetic and adulterated milk and various dairy products. A bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia issued notices to the Centre and the state governments of Haryana, Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi on a PIL which also sought framing of a “comprehensive” policy on the production, supply and sale of healthy, hygienic and natural milk. The plea filed by a group of citizens, led by Swami Achyutanand Tirth of Uttarakhand, said synthetic and adulterated milk and milk products are prepared using urea, detergent, refined oil, caustic soda, white paint etc which, according to studies, are “very hazardous” to human life and can cause serious diseases like cancer. It said a January 2011 survey report by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) from different cities in 33 States revealed that out of total 1,7...

AHMEDABAD: Salt production has started in the Kutch belt of Gujarat and the Sambhar-Phalodi belts in Rajasthan. Export orders are expected to increase with demand coming from China and South Asian countries. Salt prices increased post-Japanese tsunami earlier this year and have been stable since then. “Salt production in Rajasthan is in full swing. By mid-December, the production will begin from Covelong, Marakanam, Cuddalore, Vedaranyam, Tuticorin and Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu along with Andhra Pradesh’s Naupada to Isakapalli. By January, the production will begin from south Gujarat (Kambhat to Surat) and Palghar, Rai, Wadala centres of Maharashtra,” said BC Raval, secretary, Indian Salt Manufacturers Association. “Flooding, un-seasonal rains, foggy weather in China and Australia have ensured the demand picking up from Japan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia for the industrial salt. Exports in this calendar year (till date) have touched 3.8 million tonne and we expect...