Gujarat: Salt manufacturers say only limited stock left

RAJKOT: The Indian Salt Manufacturers’ Association (ISMA) has asked central government to allow salt production at 50 to 75 per cent of capacity during lockdown to avoid shortage after three months. The process to produce salt takes three months, but ISMA producers currently have stock only for next one and a half months.
ISMA says about 7,000 to 9,000 metric tonne salt is used in food preparation and 10,000 metric tonne is consumed by industries every month.Gujarat being the largest producer of salt in the country accounts for 80 per cent of total domestic need. ISMA president Bharat Raval said, “Considering the consumption pattern, government should allow salt manufacturing activities under strict monitoring to maintain demand and supply.”
ISMA in letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers of salt producing states in the country has said, “Salt manufacturing is a seasonal activity which takes place from March to June. During this period, the annual requirement of the country for salt is met. If this chain is broken during the lockdown, salt production will be hit and there could be a shortage.”
ISMA also asked for guidelines to isolate workers, but wanted salt production to be allowed as it is an essential commodity.