 "Yavatmal pesticide poisonining: FIR filed against five companies, Fadnavis seeks CBI probe into farmers' deaths")
Maharashtra has sent a request to the Central government seeking an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the case of deaths allegedly due to pesticide poisoning in Yavatmal district. An FIR has also been registered against five companies in Nagpur, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said. At least 18 people have died over the past three months in Yavatmal in eastern Maharashtra, allegedly owing to a toxic pesticide they were exposed to. The deaths had been covered in detail by Firstpost in a series of ground reports. In a series of tweets, Fadnavis said on Thursday that after the deaths, a detailed study was conducted by the Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR). The study is said to have mentioned that herbicide-tolerant genes were found in the Bt Cotton seeds of five branded companies, which contravenes the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. However, the chief minister said that such seeds are being produced in other states as well.
After the tragic incident of pesticide poisoning in Yavatmal district, a detailed study was done by Central Institute of Cotton Research (CISR) and the report is submitted to the State Government.
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) November 2, 2017
As mentioned in this report Herbicide tolerant genes are found in the BT Cotton seeds of 5 branded companies & it is not permissible under the provisions of Environment Protection Act 1986.
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) November 2, 2017
FIR has been registered against those 5 companies at Nagpur.
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) November 2, 2017
But it is also found that such type of seeds are being produced in many other states too and due to such seriousness, Govt of Maharashtra has sent a request to Govt of India for a detailed CBI inquiry into this.
Earlier, the state government had ordered a probe by a Special Investigative Team (SIT) in the matter. Fadnavis had then assured that a case would be registered against the pesticide manufacturers and dealers. The state government has also announced an ex gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased. In 2016, Vidarbha reported the highest number of farmer suicides in the state. The pesticide poisoning further aggravates the crisis in the region.
