Sikkim lifts ban on supply of carrot, tomato and green chilly

The Sikkim government today lifted the ban on supply of non-organically grown carrot, tomato and green chilly from outside due to acute shortage of these commodities in the domestic market, officials said.

The notification lifting the ban with immediate effect was issued by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) S C Gupta.

The Pawan Kumar Chamling government had banned the sale and consumption of 27 non-organically grown agricultural and horticultural commodities comprising vegetables, fruits, spices with effect from April 1 so that people consume only organic food items.

Opposition parties and vegetable vendors have slammed the state government's ban on non-organic food from outside without ensuring availability of organic vegetables and allied items.

Sikkim Agriculture and Cash Crops Development Minister Somnath Poudyal has urged the people and vegetable sellers to cooperate with the state in making the drive for consumption of organic food a success.