Cooperate with Ministry consultant: Gauhati High Court to TTR Centre, AAU

CANCER VERSUS INSECTICIDES

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The issue of the high incidence of cancer, and the possibility of diseases increasing on account of the excessive use of insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers have been discussed at length by the Gauhati High Court. Following a request from the Court, Union Ministry of Agriculture’s Toxicology expert and consultant Dr Sushil K Khurana has assured the Court that a practical method would be devised and appropriate inputs would be given to the Court for identifying, first of all, the pollutants in the soil or in plants which might because of cancer and other diseases. In sync with this assurance, the Court has directed the Secretary to the Department of Agriculture, Assam; the Director of Tocklai Tea Research Centre (TTRC), the Vice-Chancellor of Assam Agriculture University (AAU) and the Guwahati branch of the Tea Board of India (TBI) to extend complete cooperation to Dr. Khurana so that he can provide inputs to the Court.

During the hearing of the PIL (18/2018) on February 13, 2020, Dr Khurana pointed out that sufficient safeguards have been provided in the Insecticide Act, 1968 which has been enforced by the Government of India in tandem with the State government and departments. “It cannot, however, be denied or disputed that the incidence of various diseases are increasing and possibility of such increase would be on account of abuse of fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides,” the division bench of the Court comprising Chief Justice Ajai Lamba and Justice Soumitra Saikia observed, and shared the concern of the Court with Dr Khurana, besides requesting him, at the first instance, to try to identify “the means vide which practical inputs can be given to the Court after drawing samples from plants, soil and groundwater, maybe at various levels/depths”.

Dr Khurana has apprised the Court that so far as Assam is concerned, there are two major crops, one is tea and the other is paddy. “Tea is particularly vulnerable because tea leaves are consumed as they are. Excessive exposure of the leaves to insecticides, pesticides could be very dangerous for health of the consumers,” Dr Khurana said.

The Court added that Dr. Khurana would be at liberty to take assistance from any scientist or technician of his choice in whatever field required. It has also requested him to remain present in Court on the next hearing listed for March 16, 2020.

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