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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | ICMR panel to study effects of Endosulfan by J Balaji

ICMR panel to study effects of Endosulfan by J Balaji

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published Published on Nov 15, 2010   modified Modified on Nov 15, 2010

Pesticide issue finds its echo in the Lok Sabha

Even as the Endosulfan issue rocking Kerala found its echo in the Lok Sabha on Monday, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) constituted a committee to study the pesticide's effects in Kasaragod district.

ICMR Director-General Vishwamohan Kattoch will head the 10-member committee. It will have various subject experts, including public health workers, as its members. The committee will visit Kerala within a month to begin its study. Previous studies will have no impact on the committee's analysis.

In the Lok Sabha, amidst a din caused by the Opposition on the 2G spectrum issue, K.C. Venugopal, MP, hit out at the C.D. Mayee Committee, constituted by the Union Agriculture Ministry, for endorsing the use of Endosulfan disregarding the interests of Kerala. Demanding an all-India ban on the pesticide, Mr. Venugopal went on to add that the then Congress-led United Democratic Front government headed by A.K. Antony had banned Endosulfan in Kerala as early as 2004. He alleged that the Mayee committee had not done its job judiciously.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture K.V. Thomas told The Hindu that the subject was handled by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and that he would take up the issue of banning the pesticide with him. He expressed the hope that Mr. Pawar would speak to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue. The issue involved the coordination of the Agriculture, Environment and Forests and Health Ministries. Prof. Thomas said he would do his best to protect the interests of the people of Kerala.

Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said the ban on Endosulfan must continue and that he would inform the Prime Minister about the apprehensions of the people. He said there was no need for lifting the ban as the studies would take some time.

Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy and former Minister R. Balakrishna Pillai, along with a few other leaders, met Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh here and sought a total ban on Endosulfan. Mr. Chandy quoted Mr. Ramesh as saying that his Ministry was seriously studying the issue and that it would compile studies done by the Agriculture, Health and Environment and Forests Ministries and take a final decision on the request. Mr. Chandy pointed out to the Minister that over 400 persons had lost their lives and 4,000 had been affected by the spraying of Endosulfan.

Mr. Ramesh agreed to consider another request of Mr. Chandy regarding relaxing the ban on using elephants for festivals and important occasions.


The Hindu, 16 November, 2010, http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/16/stories/2010111661740100.htm


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