By Vishwapati
Patna: The levels of arsenic are steadily increasing, prompting discussions among politicians about the various diseases linked to its presence. A significant claim has now been made in the Bihar Assembly regarding the alarming quantities of arsenic found in vegetables produced in districts along the banks of the River Ganga in Bihar.
Arsenic has been detected in vegetables and grains from districts situated on the Ganga’s banks in Bihar. On Thursday, during the Bihar Assembly session, Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha revealed this concerning information in response to a question on the issue. He named several vegetables and provided details about the levels of arsenic present in them. The question was raised by Ara MLA Amarendra Pratap Singh, who sought information on the arsenic levels and their serious health implications.
During the question hour, Vijay Kumar Sinha presented data showing that the arsenic content in vegetables far exceeds the permissible limits. He stated that leafy vegetables such as cabbage and fenugreek contain 0.1% arsenic per gram, while root vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes contain 0.3% arsenic per gram. Additionally, arsenic levels of up to 1% have been detected in other crops. The minister urged agricultural scientists to conduct research into methods to reduce arsenic levels in produce.
In a separate incident during the session, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar strongly objected to the use of mobile phones by members in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. The issue arose during the question hour when MLA Kumar Krishna Mohan, also known as Suday Yadav, was seen using a mobile phone in the House. CM Nitish expressed his disapproval, reminding members that mobile phones are already banned in the Assembly. He requested Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav to take strict action, including expelling anyone found with a mobile phone in the House.
(The author, Vishwapati, is a senior journalist based in Patna. He may be contacted at vishwapati25@gmail.com)
