Telangana High Court on pesticides

The Telangana High Court has ordered central and state agriculture and food safety officials to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the rampant sale of counterfeit pesticides, which harm crops and pose health risks. Advocate Ravi Krishna Vattem, who filed the PIL, criticized the government's inadequate measures to prevent the influx of spurious pesticides and proposed implementing unique QR codes for verification of product authenticity. The court emphasized the need for strict enforcement of the Insecticides Act and mandated the publication of pesticide sample analysis results in the official gazette. Additionally, the court directed officials to provide explanations regarding the lack of action against counterfeit pesticides and to establish a task force for inspections. This ruling follows broader concerns about agricultural safety and consumer protection in Telangana. The case underscores ongoing challenges in regulatory compliance and the urgency for improved mechanisms to safeguard farmers and consumers.