Sikkim approves proposal to ban supply of non-organic food items

Gangtok, December 15, 2017: A cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling today approved a proposal by Horticulture and Cash Crops department to ban supply of non-organic food items in Sikkim in a phased manner starting from March 31, 2018.

A notification will be issued to take necessary action for compliance with the cabinet's decision prohibiting entry of non-organic agricultural, horticultural and livestock products into Sikkim, an official release said.

The list of products to be prohibited for entry into Sikkim with effect from March 31, 2018 are – maize, beans, brinjal, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, capsicum, carrot, chayote, cucumber, drumstick, lady s finger, leafy vegetables, spinach, pea, radish, tomato, pointed gourd, banana, guava, mango, orange, papaya, ginger, green chilly, turmeric, millet/finger millet, soyabean, rapeseed, mustard, onion, potato, garlic, milk & packaged milk and mustard oil cake.

The chief minister had publicly announced two days ago that starting next year, his government will also ban supply of fruits like banana and mango brought in from other states.

He said that consumption of these fruits are hazardous for health of the people as it is ripened with the use of chemicals.

Sikkim has last year declared itself as fully organic state though it heavily depends on markets in neighbouring states like West Bengal for supply of cereals, vegetables, pulses, poultry products and fruits to meet domestic consumption.

Feature image courtesy: takepart.com 

TNT News with inputs from retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com