Fadnavis government seeks CBI probe into Vidarbha pesticide deaths

The Maharashtra government has sought a probe by the Central Investigation Agency (CBI) into the presence of banned herbicide tolerant gene in five varieties of BT Cotton seeds. The request comes almost a month after 48 farmers and labourers died because of poisonous pesticides in Vidarbha .

"After the tragic incident of pesticide poisoning in Yavatmal district, a detailed study was done by Nagpur based Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR) and the report is submitted to the state government," stated a release issued by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' office.

"As mentioned in this report, herbicide tolerant genes are found in the BT Cotton seeds of five branded companies and it is not permissible under the provisions of Environment Protection Act 1986."

CICR's six teams comprising 24 scientists including the acting director of the institute VN Waghmare had visited most parts of Yavatmal district for the study. The report was submitted to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that is probing the farmers' deaths due to insecticide.

"FIR has been registered against those five companies in Nagpur," the release stated. "It is also found that such types of seeds are being produced in many other states also. Hence, the government of Maharashtra has sent a request to Government of India for a detailed CBI inquiry into this."

Anti-genetic engineering activist Vandana Shiva, upon visiting Yavatmal a few days ago, had blamed international seed maker companies for the pesticide deaths arguing that the market for the herbicide tolerant (HT) variety is shrinking in Brazil, US and Europe and India is being eyed as a market to compensate. She had also alleged that the HT cotton variety seen in the fields is being pushed into the market by these companies as it is in their interest that the seed spreads through illegal channels paving the way for them to eventually bring it legally into the Indian market.

The 48 deaths were reported after spraying mixture of multiple pesticides to control pests on the Cotton crop. At least 800 farmers had to be hospitalised for various ailments including temporary loss of vision. The government has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased.

According to eminent farm activist from Vidarbha, Kishor Tiwari, 48 farmers lost their lives till now due to inhalation of toxic pesticides in various regions of the state. The deaths of farmers and farm labourers in the suicide prone belt of Yavatmal district had also prompted the opposition to flay the government over the incidents and demand compensation.

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