At a training programme conducted by CONCERT in January 2010  in Krishnagiri District  on detection of Food Adulteration, Tur Dhal samples brought by the participants for testing, indicated the presence of Kesari Dhal  as an adulterant.

Further enquiry by our team revealed that in “Kendili” village in Thirupathoor Taluk of Vellore District and in many villages in Hosur Taluk
of Krishnagiri District the sale of Kesari dhal is rampart.  It is sold as Toor Dhall at  a throw away price of Rs. 25 to Rs.35 per kg, in the guise of hand milled Toor Dhall, The consumers are not aware of the harmful effect of Kesari dhal when consumed continuously,  and were to be  purchasing the stock comparing to  the sky rocketing  price of Toor dhal.  Besides this, Kesari Dhal is also being sold by itself, at lesser prices.

Though  the Tamil Nadu Government’s effort in selling Toor dhal at Rs.40 per kg through PDS may arrest the sale of such stock, since many are not able to get adequate quantity of subsidized Toor dhal, the adulteration, if left unchecked may spread to other parts of the State affecting the health of the people.

Five of the Taluk Supply Officers of Kishnagiri District attended the training programme on instructions of the Collector and they were informed
about the availability of Kesari dhal in their area. The Food Inspector and unicipal Commissioner of Krishnagiri, also had a chance of  seeing the
samples

A letter written was  by CONCERT to the Commissioner of Civil Supplies, requestinghim to issue suitable instructions to the Civil Supplies Food Cell to  conduct a mass operation in this area to put an end to the sale of Kesari Dhal, thereby saving thousands of people from suffering the ill effects of the toxin in Kesari Dhal. Similar cases of adulteration noticed earlier,were brought to the  notice of the Commissioner Civil Supplies and to the Directorate of Public Health

Immediately on receipt of our letter, the Commissioner of Civil Supplies, through a communication to the Collectors of Vellore and Krishnagiri, requested them to organise a special raid in all grocery shops in Hosur and Tirupattur taluks.