Why only 3 pesticides are banned, SC asks govt

March 27, 2023 21:30

The Supreme Court asked the Centre on Monday to place two reports on the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides in India before it and questioned it on why only three pesticides have so far been banned in the country.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala said the public interest litigation petitioners "may have some agenda", but the Centre should satisfy it as to why only three pesticides have so far been banned in the country.

"The Union government shall place on the record the final report of the Dr SK Khurana Sub-Committee (referred to in paragraph 10 of the status report) and the report dated September 6, 2022 of the committee chaired by Dr TP Rajendran (referred to in paragraph 11 of the status report)," the court said.

"The Union government shall also file a further affidavit, explaining the basis on which action has been taken presently only with respect to three pesticides in the notification dated February 2, 2023 within a period of four weeks from today," it said in the order.

The bench then posted three pleas, including the PIL filed by NGO "Vanashakti", for further hearing on April 28.

The pleas have sought a ban on harmful pesticides in the country on the ground that they cause severe health problems to farmers, farm workers and others living in the vicinity.

Lawyer Prashant Bhushan, appearing for one of the petitioners, said at least 27 pesticides were to be banned by January 2018. -- PTI

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