Telangana Urged to Extend Ban on Lethal Herbicide Paraquat as Expiry Date Approaches
On June 2, 2026, public health advocates urged the Telangana State Government to extend its temporary ban on the highly toxic herbicide Paraquat Dichloride 24% SL, as the state's current 60-day prohibition period nears its expiration date.
The call for action, led by public health researcher Dr. Kattamreddy Ananth Rupesh, seeks to extend the restriction under Section 27 of the Insecticides Act for an additional 30 days. Advocates are demanding that the prohibition remain active pending a comprehensive and independent risk assessment of the chemical's safety.
Paraquat is recognized as one of the most acutely toxic herbicides currently in use. Because there is no specific antidote, even small quantities of the chemical can be fatal. Hospitals across various regions have reported numerous cases of severe poisoning, many of which resulted in deaths. The herbicide's widespread availability has also made it a common agent in cases of self-harm.
In addition to acute poisoning risks, growing scientific evidence links long-term occupational exposure to paraquat with an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. This risk has already led multiple countries to either completely prohibit or severely restrict the use of the chemical.
The initial 60-day ban in Telangana was the result of a broad public campaign that brought together farmers, doctors, public health experts, civil society organizations, and political leaders. This campaign culminated in a unanimous resolution by the Telangana Legislative Assembly urging the Union government to implement a nationwide ban on the substance.
Following Telangana's regulatory action, neighboring Andhra Pradesh issued a similar prohibition order. However, advocates warn that effective implementation remains a challenge, particularly in border districts where paraquat could still be smuggled in from neighboring states that have not banned the substance.
While the Union government has established an expert committee to review the regulatory status of both paraquat and carbosulfan, its final report is still pending. Public health advocates argue that the state must prioritize safety over commercial interests and maintain the ban until the scientific review is complete.
