'Desi' Mulayam ready to ban colas if all parties agree

Lucknow, Oct 11 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav today said his government was ready to place a ban on the sale of colas if other parties in the state legislature agreed.

Intervening during Question Hour, Mr Yadav said while 'local' soft drinks were much healthier than colas manufactured by the multi-nationals, it was difficult to ban these drinks as the companies possessed a ''powerful lobby.'' Mr Yadav also admitted that pesticide residue in colas were affecting the health of the populace.

The issue was raised by Lakshmikant Bajpai (BJP) during Question Hour. He claimed since other states had banned sale of colas, UP should also take similar stern steps. Leader of the Opposition Lalji Tandon (BJP) also propogated for a ban on sale of soft drinks in the state.

In his reply, Revenue Minister Ambika Chaudhury said banning colas was in the hands of the centre as pesticide residue standards were yet to be fixed. The state government had sent eight samples of cold drinks to a Mysore-based central lab for testing in September and its report was awaited, he informed the house.

He claimed on earlier ocasions, the government had sent 135 samples to the same lab, but it was yet to provide the report.

Mr Yadav maintained the government would also hold an interaction with shop-keepers to discuss ban on sale of soft drinks.

Assembly speaker Mata Prasad Pandey has already banned the sale of soft drinks at the assembly catering facilities.

UNI MB/NAB VD SND1544