The health minister also directed officials to ascertain from where the mehendi had been sourced.

He said the complaints were regarding two particular brands. 'We will get it tested in the laboratory. Let me clarify that we have not given licence to anybody to manufacture mehendi in the state,' he added.

Hundreds of women complained of itchy and swollen palms in three northern Orissa districts - Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj - Monday after applying mehndi on their hands to celebrate the Eid festival.