Govt to spur use of modern tech in salt production

Considering the ever increasing demand, the cabinet has approved the draft of ‘National Salt Policy-2022’ to encourage entrepreneurs to produce salt using the latest available technology.

The approval was given at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, on Monday.

After the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam informed journalists about this at the cabinet division auditorium.

He said a modification is needed in the traditional ways of salt farming across the southern region, especially, the coastal districts.

“We have used several places in Matarbari, Cox’s Bazar, Payra for developing salt production methods. That is why policy support was required to raise productivity and use advanced technology,” he told journalists.

Islam said it is hoped that by implementing this policies, ‘we will achieve the desired target of salt production and we will not have any shortage of salt in the country.”

The cabinet secretary said that by 2025, the use of salt by various sectors like hide and skin, could be assessed.

He said the production of salt by employing an environmentally-friendly way should be adopted. Also health protection of salt farmers, their training and offering them low interest loans should be provided. 

The Cabinet Secretary said the quality and quantity of unrefined salt need to be determined. Adequate amount of salt should be provided so that the animal skins could be preserved during Eid-ul-Azha.

He said the quality control of salt, iodine content in edible salt should be ensured to prevent iodine deficiency.

Islam said an arrangement should be made to keep some buffer stocks for use during emergencies. That is why the salt industry needs to be surveyed.

It is worth mentioning here that harsh taxation of salt did occur in India during British rule. However, this tax was greatly increased when the British East India Company began to establish its rule over provinces in India. In 1835, special taxes were imposed on Indian salt to facilitate its import. This paid huge dividends for the traders of the British East India Company.