Patna, Aug 11: Bihar government will not allow the outlawed People's War (PW) to carry out its threat to impose a ban on the sale of cold drinks being manufactured by multi-national companies in the state from august 15, minister for health Shakuni Choudhury said today. "We will not allow the ban announced by any outfit to succeed and protect the vendors selling bottled soft drinks," Choudhury said.

"A ban would be enforced only if presence of pesticides was detected during sample tests ordered by the state government," he said.

PW has threatened to enforce a ban on sale of "poisonous" cold drinks in the state if the multi-national companies did not stop their supply.
"We warn all the vendors and whole-sellers of the cold drinks manufactured by the multinational companies to stop sale of poisonous drinks or be ready to face the anger of the people," a press release issued by People's War said.

"These cold and sweet poisonous drinks are a major health hazard", it said referring to the recent findings of the Centre for Science and Environment on soft drinks.
Bureau Report