The Chittur Taluk Endosulfan Virudha Samithy has sought the removal of Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar from the Union Cabinet for his reported refusal to enforce a ban on the use of the pesticide Endosulfan.
In a statement here on Thursday, Samithy general convener Neelippara Mariyappan said Mr. Pawar's statement that Endosulfan could not be banned as demanded by some States, including Kerala, indicated that he supported the multinational manufacturer of the pesticide in spite of its reported harmful effects on human and other forms of life.
The statement called upon Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy to lead an all-party delegation to New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and seek a total ban on Endosulfan in the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) meeting to be held at Stockholm later this month.
The Samithy said it would hold a dharna in front of the Collectorate here on Saturday to press the Union government to enforce a ban on harmful pesticides such as Endosulfan.
It said there were a large number of people suffering from diseases suspected to be caused by the spraying of Endosulfan in mango orchards and farms in the grama panchayats of Muthalamada, Kollengode, Elavancherry and Neemara in Palakkad district.
