Ramraje Nimbalkar asks government to probe issue of contaminated chikkis

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar today directed the state government to conduct an inquiry into allegations of contaminated 'chikkis' (sweet snack) being sold to tribal students in Ahmednagar district and recall the adulterated stock.

"According to me, issues like these concern human lives and are thus very important. I will put all the questions of (Council) members together and we can together sort out the issue. For now, I direct the government to conduct an inquiry into the issue and recall the stock found to be contaminated," Nimbalkar said.

During the Question Hour, NCP MLC Kiran Pavaskar said the government should initiate swift action into allegations of contaminated chikkis being sold to tribal students, like it took in banning Maggi on reports that it contained an excessive amount of lead.

"The government was very swift when reports emerged on Maggi being harmful for health. Similarly, the government should be swift in inquiring about reports of contamination of chikkis. These chikkis are supplied to children and thus the government needs to be quick in taking action. I want to ask if the government will close down this company and destroy all the chikkis it supplied," Pavaskar said.

When Minister of State, Food and Drug Administration, Vidya Thakur could not reply satisfactorily, Nimbalkar directed the government to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

While replying to another query, Thakur said that according to the Centre's directives, the state government is examining samples of other food stuffs like Maggi, to ascertain if they contain an excess amount of lead.

To a question by Congress MLC Sharad Ranpise, Thakur said that medically it has not been proved that Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) causes cancer, kidney failure or other ailments and it only causes stomach aches, vomiting sensation or giddiness if consumed in excess.