Vinod Kumar urges CM to ban Paraquat Dichloride sale in Telangana
Former MP B Vinod Kumar has urged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to ban Paraquat Dichloride, citing rising deaths among farmers. He said many countries have already banned the pesticide and called for urgent preventive action
Hyderabad: Stressing that nearly 70 countries across the world have banned Paraquat Dichloride, former MP B Vinod Kumar appealed to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to impose a ban on the sale of the herbicide used for weed control.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Vinod Kumar pointed out that there is no antidote for Paraquat Dichloride and expressed concern over the increasing number of deaths linked to its consumption. Stating that many farmers were losing their lives after consuming the herbicide, he urged the State government to examine all possible measures to prohibit its sale.
Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad on Saturday, the former MP said that every month around 10 to 20 persons were ending their lives by consuming the weedicide, adding that a similar situation prevailed at a hospital in Warangal as well.
Citing medical opinion, he noted that doctors had observed that survival chances were extremely low once Paraquat Dichloride was consumed, and emphasised the need for the government to seriously consider banning the pesticide.
Referring to precedents set by other regions, Vinod Kumar said the Odisha government had already prohibited the use of Paraquat Dichloride and urged the Telangana government to explore similar action. He reiterated that nearly 70 countries had imposed restrictions or bans on the pesticide, underlining the urgency of preventive measures.
Dr Marri Mahesh Reddy said awareness programmes were being conducted in villages across the State to educate farmers about the adverse effects of Paraquat Dichloride.
“Farmers should not store leftover pesticide after using it in their fields. It is highly dangerous, and we appeal to the government to ban Paraquat Dichloride,” Mahesh Reddy said.
