Legislators seek ban on paraquat pesticide in Telangana

Concerned over a rise in suicides involving the highly toxic paraquat pesticide, MLAs urged the Telangana government to ban its sale and strengthen dialysis facilities, while the Health Minister said new dialysis units and hospital recruitments were underway

Hyderabad: Expressing concern over use of paraquat pesticide in suicide attempts, a few legislators on Monday urged the government to initiate measures, including banning its sale in the State. Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide used globally for weed control and crop desiccation.

During Question Hour in the Assembly, Kumram Bheem Asifabad MLA Palvai Harish Babu said people consume this pesticide and die by suicide and such cases were increasing in the constituency.

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“Kerala and Gujarat governments have already banned the sale of this pesticide. The Telangana government had also announced that it has been banned but there is regular supply from Maharashtra,” Harish Babu said.

Similarly, Mahabubabad MLA Murali Naik said cases of people consuming paraquat pesticide and attempting suicide was increasing in the constituency. “If renal dialysis is not performed within two hours, the patient dies. The government should sanction renal dialysis beds and adapters exclusively to our constituency,” he said.

Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha said at present, there were 103 dialysis units in the State. About 78 more units were being proposed and measures were being taken to ensure the average distance between two units was less than 20 to 25 kms, he said, adding that financial approval was being sought for recruitment of 873 posts in NIMS Hospital.