Punjab Government on Wednesday ordered banning the sale of 20 insecticides found harmful for the humans and environment.
The decision was taken by the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh while acting swiftly on the recommendations of the Punjab Agricultural University’s (PAU) Registration Committee and the Punjab State Farmers’ Commission (PSFC).
Chief Minister, who also holds the Agriculture portfolio, gave his nod to the ban to be effective from February 1, 2018.
Making it clear that no laxity would be tolerated in this regard, the Chief Minister directed that the ban be implemented meticulously and stringently.
On the directives of Capt Amarinder, the Special Secretary Agriculture has issued detailed guidelines to Director Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare on the regulation of the sale of insecticides in the state.
The Director Agriculture has also been asked to review all the licenses given for these insecticides and, further, not to issue any fresh license for these insecticides from February 1, 2018.
According to the Schedule, the 20 insecticides whose sale has been discontinued are: Phosphamidon, Tricholorofon, Benfuracarb, Dicofol, Methomyl, Thiophanate Methyl, Endosulfan, Bifenthrin, Carbosulfan, Chlorfenapyr, Dazomet, Diflubenzuron, Fenitrothion, Metaldehyde, Kasugamycin, Ethofenprox (Etofenprox), Phorate, Triazophos, Alachior and Monocrotophos.