The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Wednesday demanded a nationwide ban on pesticide endosulfan and the setting up of a committee to asses the damage caused by it and pay compensation to the victims.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that despite several scientific studies — undertaken both by Central and State agencies — finding that endosulfan is a deadly chemical, it is still sold and used in our country,” the party Central Secretariat said in a release.
Since 1995, nearly 500 have died owing to the pesticide and many were suffering from various deformities.
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The party pointed out that endosulfan was banned in 81 countries and many others were contemplating to follow suit. “It is beyond comprehension and reason that the Government of India is pursuing a dubious stand and openly advocating against the global ban on endosulfan at the Conference of Parties to Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in Geneva.” The Centre should review its stand and support a total ban on its use.