Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan on Tuesday sought the intervention of Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob to alleviate the fears of the residents of Walayar village in Palakkad district in connection with the attempts by the Food Safety Department (FSD) to wash and clean about 60 lakh kg of seized adulterated pepper using the facilities of a private factory located close to the Coimbatore border.
In a letter, a copy of which was released here on Tuesday, Mr. Achuthanandan said the whole process seemed unscientific as the chances of bringing back the original character of the seized pepper through washing and cleaning using detergents was very low.
Expert opinions
Mr. Achuthananadan also quoted expert opinions recommending safe disposing of the adulterated pepper.
Quoting a report in The Hindu on the issue, Mr. Achuthanandan said that the washing and cleaning of adulterated pepper using detergents would cause pollution and exploitation of remaining groundwater resources of Walayar. Meanwhile, FSD officials said the adulterated pepper would reach Walayar on Thursday for cleaning using the facilities of a private factory there.
Security
Tight police security would be accorded to the trucks carrying the pepper from FSD godowns in Edathala, Vazhakulam, North Paravur and Cherthala. Janajagratha, a voluntary organisation, on Tuesday approached District Collector K. Ramachandran urging him to use the district magistrate’s powers to prevent further pollution of Walayar.
Whole process seems unscientific, says Achuthanandan.
