MPCB wakes up to colour poisoning in Mumbai

A day after one boy died and more than 210 children landed in city hospitals due to colour poisoning during Holi celebrations in Dharavi, the state pollution control board decided to take precautionary measures.

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has made it mandatory for shopkeepers to submit proof, such as receipts, of natural and synthetic colours put up for sale to the respective local bodies. Till date, there was no provision in the law to ban harmful colours in the market.

“We can’t directly take action against the shopkeepers, but can take measures to avoid such incidents in future. We will write to all local bodies asking them to take an undertaking from shopkeepers sells colours for Holi. We will soon hold a meeting to decide how to implement this initiative,” said Milind Mhaiskar, MPCB secretary.

“Even after the directions, if shopkeepers are found selling harmful colours, the local bodies can take action against them under the Shop Establishment Act,” Mhaiskar added.
He said the MPCB has been creating awareness about the harmful effects of colours.

“We appeal to citizens to use natural colours while playing Holi,” said Mhaiskar. Sanjay Deotale, state environment minister, said a probe will be initiated in the Dharavi colour poisoning incident and complaint lodged. “We will take measures to avoid similar incidents in future,” he said.