By IANS,
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Friday asked the central government to respond to endosulphan manufacturers’ plea to relax the ban on the production and sale of the pesticide, to meet their export commitments.
An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia gave the government three weeks to file its reply to the manufacturers’ plea.
Endosulfan is a pesticide that is widely used in agriculture, particularly for rice and cotton crops. It has harmful effects on humans and environment. An interim order was passed May 13 banning its production, distribution and use.
The court also asked Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran to submit the interim report of the expert committee that was set up to inquire into the harmful effects of the pesticide.
The court asked the manufacturers how would they ensure that the exported endosulphan would not be transported back to India.
The court also asked what would happen to the existing stocks of endosulphan.
The Democratic Youth Federation of India, the youth wing of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, had moved the Supreme Court to seek a ban on endosulphan.