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MPs of Left parties on Tuesday held a protest in the Capital, demanding a nationwide ban on Endosulfan and blaming the Centre for taking a “favourable stand” in the Stockholm convention on the continued usage of the pesticide.
Addressing protesters, CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury said 84 countries have banned Endosulfan; they were not fools to do so. “We demand a nationwide ban on the pesticide. Why have 84 countries banned it? Why is the Government hesitant? That is why we suspect that another scam is waiting to happen.”
He added, “Are the companies making a killing by selling these deadly pesticides, in which case who is protecting them? Is that the reason why this Government is not imposing a ban on the pesticide?”
He said the Left was not politicising the matter as alleged by the Congress but just backing a humanitarian cause.
There has been a demand for the ban across the country, with Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan leading the agitation by going on a day-long fast on Monday. The use of Endosulfan, which is already banned in Kerala, had led to serious health hazards in Kasargod district.
Rajya Sabha member P Rajeeve said the Left parties were demanding a countrywide ban on the pesticide. “We are protesting the stand taken by the country at the Stockholm Conference which is dealing with the question of banning the pesticide,” he said.
The Centre on Monday said it would take a view on the issue “in the best interest of the country” after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) submits its report.
Noting that a committee chaired by Director General, ICMR was presently examining the harmful effects of Endosulfan on the health of the people, the PMO said the Committee would be asked to “expedite” its report.
Addressing protesters, CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury said 84 countries have banned Endosulfan; they were not fools to do so. “We demand a nationwide ban on the pesticide. Why have 84 countries banned it? Why is the Government hesitant? That is why we suspect that another scam is waiting to happen.”
He added, “Are the companies making a killing by selling these deadly pesticides, in which case who is protecting them? Is that the reason why this Government is not imposing a ban on the pesticide?”
He said the Left was not politicising the matter as alleged by the Congress but just backing a humanitarian cause.
There has been a demand for the ban across the country, with Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan leading the agitation by going on a day-long fast on Monday. The use of Endosulfan, which is already banned in Kerala, had led to serious health hazards in Kasargod district.
Rajya Sabha member P Rajeeve said the Left parties were demanding a countrywide ban on the pesticide. “We are protesting the stand taken by the country at the Stockholm Conference which is dealing with the question of banning the pesticide,” he said.
The Centre on Monday said it would take a view on the issue “in the best interest of the country” after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) submits its report.
Noting that a committee chaired by Director General, ICMR was presently examining the harmful effects of Endosulfan on the health of the people, the PMO said the Committee would be asked to “expedite” its report.
