Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday said the government would constitute an expert committee to advise the State on the ban of endosulfan. In a statement, he said the scientists were of the opinion that the toxicity of endosulfan was lesser in the State due to higher temperatures compared to Kerala where the pesticide had been banned after hundreds had perished and many affected in a few regions, including Kasargode district, where endosulfan was used to control pests in cashew plantations. A decision on the ban of endosulfan would be taken after obtaining recommendations from the panel to be constituted, he said.
Warning to schools
Reacting to reports that matriculations schools were collecting excess fee and refusing admission to those not paying the fee, the Chief Minister said such acts of managements of matriculation school were illegal and unjustified. The government would not be a spectator, he warned. Mr. Karunanidhi asked schools to be patient till the committee headed by Justice Raviraja Pandian announced the new fee structure.