(a) whether arsenic contents were found in the rice being produced in the Ganga basin in various parts of the country including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with its impact on human health; and
(c) the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The arsenic content in the rice grain has been found in permissible limits, thus safe for human consumption.
(c): Various mitigation methods have been suggested for the arsenic contaminated agri zones to minimize arsenic uptake by rice, including changing paddy water management, selection and breeding of low rice cultivars, use of silicon fertilizers, zinc sulphate and iron sulphate, cultivation of oil seed crops and pulses and increased use of organic manure.