JOIN USAssn stages stir to demand ban on Endosulfan
Addressing the gathering, Bharathiya Kisan Sangha General Secretary B K Ramesh said: “We want a total ban on its use and manufacture of the pesticide across India,” adding that even though 84 nations across the world have already banned the pesticide, India has not taken initiative to ban it. The Geneva Convention had resolved to ban the manufacture of Endosulfan throughout the world, but it is unfortunate that India has sought 11 years time to implement the ban.
He said that more than 150 lakh litres of Endosulfan is being produced in the country even today and India is second in the production of Endosulfan.
The protesters urged the Centre to ban the use of Endosulfan immediately. A special squad should be set up to ensure that Endosulfan does not enter the market after the ban with alternative names. According to a survey, there are 64 names in which Endosulfan is sold in the market, the protesters said.
The compensation for the victims of Endosulfan should be paid immediately. The demands also included free scanning for pregnant women at government hospitals to ensure that the effects of Endosulfan are not spread to the next generation; creating an awareness on the ill effects of Endosulfan through media such as television, newspapers, hoardings etc and assisting those NGOs who are undertaking work on creating awareness. The government must provide special facility and rewards for those farmers who use organic manure.
The protesters submitted a memorandum to the President Prathibha Patil through Deputy Commissioner on the occasion.