Govt response on endosulfan sought
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to respond to a plea by private companies manufacturing endosulfan, seeking permission to export the pesticide in order to meet international commitments.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia directed Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Mohan Parasaran to clarify if the export of the pesticide could be allowed as the stock remained piled up in the companies in view of the ban imposed on it by an interim order on May 13.
Meanwhile, the court declined a plea of the ASG to be allowed further six weeks time to file Centre’s response and instead gave him three weeks to file a preliminary report by an experts committee on the impact of the pesticide since it is going to be considered for extension or lifting of the ban.
Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for private companies sought the court’s permission to allow the export of the product.
“Why should we cancel export order? Can they (Centre) give interim report within two weeks? We have international commitment,” Salve said.
“If we permit export, suppose it comes back in India, then what would happen,” the Bench also comprising Justices K S Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar said, putting forth its apprehension.
The Supreme Court also said the pesticide should not reach African countries if export is allowed.
Senior advocate Krishna Venugopal, appearing for petitioner Democratic Youth Federation of India submitted that he would place all documents, including scientific material, to assist the Supreme Court on the subject.
“We have not made up our mind. What should be done to clear the stock already piled up?” the court asked.
The court had on May 13 imposed the complete ban on production, sale and use of endosulfan for 8 weeks, hearing a PIL filed by DYFI.
The PIL had sought a country-wide ban on sale and production of endosulfan in its present form or any other derivatives in view its adverse impact on the people.
