Telangana HC seeks response from Centre, State on toxic paraquat pesticide linked to hundreds of annual deaths

The courtroom additionally issued discover to Hyderabad-based Central Built-in Pest Administration Centre (CIPMC).

The PIL was initiated based mostly on a letter to the courtroom stating that the pesticide, when used even in small portions, may cause irreversible organ harm and pose a extreme menace to human life. The letter stated that regardless of a ban, it continues to be manufactured, offered brazenly and extensively utilized in agricultural practices in Telangana, and in accordance to out there knowledge, over 200 lives are misplaced annually within the state due to paraquat poisoning.

The letter additionally identified that the identical pesticide was prohibited within the European Union, China, and Brazil.

B Mukherjee, the counsel representing the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, submitted that paraquat disulphate was banned, whereas paraquat dichloride was not. He stated the ministry might be concerned if the petitioner particularly makes a case about paraquat disulphate.

The bench noticed that the petitioner had chosen the genus irrespective of paraquat disulphate or paraquat dichloride.

“Assuming that it’s paraquat disulphate, then what are the steps taken or any pointers, enactment, or round in place, or who’s accountable if such a factor has to be created?” the bench requested. The counsel stated the generic components was all the time paraquat dichloride and never paraquat disulphate. Additional, the bench noticed that the endeavour was about searching for some regulation and monitoring of hazardous agrochemicals, and public consciousness campaigns in regards to the risks of utilizing a toxic agrochemical and substituting with safer alternate options.

Because the counsel sought time to search directions, the courtroom issued the instructions, and the matter was then adjourned for additional listening to after three weeks.