Salt Production In Odisha Inadequate To Meet Demands: MSME minister

Bhubaneswar: Odisha requires 6.70 lakh tonne of salt each year but the state produces 3, 135 metric tonne, which is inadequate to meet the demands, said MSME minister Prafulla Samal while replying to a question raised in the Odisha Assembly by MLA Dillip Ray on Friday.

“Of a total of four salt cooperative societies in Odisha, three have become dysfunctional for a long time. There were three salt cooperative societies in Huma and Bahuda of Ganjam district, Bolanga in Balasore and Astaranga in Puri district. Of these, the one situated at Bolanga is functional”, the minister said.

The minister stated that although 3, 135 metric tonne of salt have been produced in the state in 2017-18, annually 6.70 lakh tonne is required to meet the demand. Of this, 4.50 lakh metric tonne of salt is needed for industrial purposes.

“Between 2007 and 2014, Rs 94 lakh was sanctioned for the development of three salt cooperative societies with a view to increase salt production and improving the livelihood of labourers in the state. But it is unfortunate that these salt cooperative societies are yet to become operational,” Samal added.