(a) whether the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has found that some rice varieties accumulate arsenic contents from the soil, the consumption of which is dangerous for human health;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (Dr. HARSH VARDHAN)
(a), (b) & (c) Yes Madam. Constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Lucknow in collaboration with Rice Research Station, Chinsurah, Hoogly, has found rice cultivars accumulating low arsenic. The development is based on screening of rice germplasm from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and other sources. On the cultivars, field trials have been conducted in arsenic affected areas of West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. The arsenic content in the rice grain has been found in permissible limits, thus safe for human consumption. For the arsenic contaminated agri zones, cultivation of oil seed crops and pulses have been recommended. Further, CSIR laboratories namely Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute (CSIR-CGCRI), Kolkata, Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR-CSMCRI), Bhavnagar and National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI), Hyderabad have developed technologies for the removal of arsenic from ground water, so as to enhance portability of water.