Border dispute: Situation not yet come to call all party meet, says Karnataka Minister Govind Karjol
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Irrigation Minister Govind Karjol on Wednesday said a situation has not yet arose for an all-party meeting to be convened, to discuss the border dispute with Maharashtra, and asserted that the state government was handling the case legally.
Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Siddaramaiah on Tuesday had expressed reservations about Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai not calling an all party meeting yet, to discuss the dispute, with the issue intensifying.
"BJP is not ready to do politics the way Siddaramaiah wants. We know when to call, we are in government and definitely such a situation has not come, and there is no need for it now," Karjol said in response to a question regarding Siddaramaiah's statement.
Speaking to reporters here, he said steps have been taken by the government with regard to the case legally.
"Such a situation (to call an all party meeting) has not yet come, whenever required we have always taken all political parties and people into confidence, and we will continue to do it, but now such a situation has not arisen," he added
Siddaramaiah on Tuesday had said, the CM should have called an all party meeting by now to discuss the issue, but has not called. "The issue of jurisdiction and maintainability of the case has come before the Supreme Court for hearing."
When told that all the political parties in Maharashtra are united on the issue, Karjol said, "We need not become a part of their (Maharashtra's) drama, whenever they enact it. Yes, Maharashtra is staging a drama and we are not actors in it."
Responding to a query on Maharashtra Ministerial delegation reportedly still planning to visit the border district of Belagavi in the days ahead, the senior Minister in Bommai cabinet said, every one should keep in mind that we are all part of a federal set up.
"We had sent them (Maharashtra) a subtle message a couple of days ago, we had also sent a letter to the government there through our Chief Secretary and we have told them very strongly that if they come, the situation wont be right. No confusion should be created, we have to under stand that we are in a federal set up, whether it is a Karnataka Minister or Maharashtra Minister or from any other state," he added.
A Maharashtra ministerial delegation that was supposed to visit Belagavi and hold discussions with a pro-Marathi group active there on Tuesday, had postponed it, while Kannada organisations had staged a protest in the district in a show of strength.
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Eggs safe for consumption, cancer risk claims unfounded: FSSAI
New Delhi (PTI): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has categorically dismissed recent claims linking eggs to cancer risk, terming them "misleading, scientifically unsupported and capable of creating unnecessary public alarm".
In a statement issued on Saturday, the food safety regulator clarified that eggs available in the country are safe for human consumption and that reports alleging the presence of carcinogenic substances in eggs lack a scientific basis.
The clarification comes in response to media reports and social media posts claiming detection of nitrofuran metabolites (AOZ) -- substances purportedly linked to cancer -- in eggs sold in India.
FSSAI officials emphasised that the use of nitrofurans is strictly prohibited at all stages of poultry and egg production under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011.
The regulator explained that an Extraneous Maximum Residue Limit (EMRL) of 1.0 µg/kg has been prescribed for nitrofuran metabolites -- but solely for regulatory enforcement purposes. This limit represents the minimum level that can be reliably detected by advanced laboratory methods and does not indicate that the substance is permitted for use.
"Detection of trace residues below the EMRL does not constitute a food safety violation nor does it imply any health risk," an FSSAI official said.
FSSAI said India's regulatory framework is aligned with international practices. The European Union and the United States also prohibit the use of nitrofurans in food-producing animals and employ reference points for action or guideline values only as enforcement tools.
Differences in numerical benchmarks across countries reflect variations in analytical and regulatory approaches, not differences in consumer safety standards, the authority noted.
On public health concerns, FSSAI cited scientific evidence indicating that there is no established causal link between trace-level dietary exposure to nitrofuran metabolites and cancer or other adverse health outcomes in humans.
"No national or international health authority has associated normal egg consumption with increased cancer risk," the regulator reiterated.
Addressing reports related to the testing of a specific egg brand, officials explained that such detections are isolated and batch-specific, often arising from inadvertent contamination or feed-related factors, and are not representative of the overall egg supply chain in the country.
"Generalising isolated laboratory findings to label eggs as unsafe is scientifically incorrect," the statement said.
FSSAI urged consumers to rely on verified scientific evidence and official advisories, reiterating that eggs remain a safe, nutritious, and valuable component of a balanced diet when produced and consumed in compliance with food safety regulations.
