Chief Minister Manohar Joshi said the ban was only a precautionary measure and no deaths had been reported in the State. He warned that criminal proceedings would be initiated against those selling loose mustard oil anywhere in the State. he ban was unlikely to affect the consumer since the total consumption of mustard oil in the State was barely 10 per cent, Joshi said. The Chief Minister said roadside vendors would also be paid surprise visits to check the quality of oil they used.

The BMC while allaying fears of the dropsy epidemic reaching the shores of Mumbai metropolis has cautioned that cases of the illness should be promptly reported.

Public health department officials however confirmed that so far not a single case has been reported. Though a regular check-up of oil is being carried out, due to the mounting cases of deaths the administration was vigorously stepping up its vigil in the metropolis.

Assistant executive health officer A S Patkar said, ``Check-ups are regularly conducted. However with a view of the reported deaths we are being more vigilant. We are calling for samples of all types of oils mainly mustard. Public hospitals should inform us if they detect cases.''

Patkar said that to date some 392 samples of oil have been checked but not a single case has been reported so far. The health department has been carrying on routine checks on eatables since the over the last fifty years since it was established.

Officials explained that the civic body was examining all edible oils as argemone oil which is the culprit adulterate could be easily mixed with any oil and could not be differentiated nor detected from smell or colour. The samples will be collected from all the 23 wards and sent to the civic laboratory at the G North at Dadar.

Officials said that adulteration of mustard oil in the metropolis is under check as most people buy from branded and sealed packets and tins which pass quality control. The scope for tampering is negligent compared to that in smaller towns and villages, they added.