Cases Filed Against Pesticide Companies After 35 Farmers Die From Pesticide Poisoning

Speaking to Newsclick, Ashok Dhawale, the president of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), said, “This situation is not just limited to Yavatmal district in Maharastra alone as the insecticides which caused the deaths are already in circulation all over the country keeping the lives of many vulnerable farmers’ lives in danger.” He blamed the tragedy on Narendra Modi’s government policies dealing with multi-national companies without keeping a check on agro-chemical firms.

He said, “AIKS will lead a campaign all over the state mainly spreading awareness about the use of pesticides,” and demanded the Maharastra government to compensate the farmers with immediate effect.

Taking suo moto cognizance of the media reports, on October 9, NHRC issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, and the Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. It also directed the state’s chief secretary to “ensure that the best treatment is provided free of cost to the farmers, who are either admitted to the hospitals or taking treatment as an out-patient” while observing that “the victim farmers have fallen prey to the callous and negligent attitude of the government departments.”

Source: Cases Filed Against Pesticide Companies After 35 Farmers Die From Pesticide Poisoning | NewsClick