Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has approved a ban on sale of 20 insecticides reported to be harmful for human beings, as well as from the point of environmental sustainability and economic viability.

Acting swiftly on the recommendations of the Registration Committee, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the Punjab State Farmers’ Commission (PSFC), the Chief Minister, who also holds the Agriculture portfolio, gave his nod to the ban, to be effective from February 1, 2018.

Making it clear that no laxity would be tolerated in this regard, the Chief Minister directed that the ban be implemented meticulously and stringently.

On the directives of Capt. Amarinder Singh, the Special Secretary Agriculture has issued detailed guidelines to Director Agriculture and Farmers welfare on the regulation of the sale of insecticides in the state.

The Director Agriculture has also been asked to review all the licenses given for these insecticides and, further, not to issue any fresh license for these insecticides ?from February 1, 2018.

According to the Schedule, the 20 insecticides whose sale has been discontinued are: Phosphamidon, Tricholorofon, Benfuracarb, Dicofol, Methomyl, Thiophanate Methyl, Endosulfan, Bifenthrin, Carbosulfan, Chlorfenapyr, Dazomet, Diflubenzuron, Fenitrothion, Metaldehyde, Kasugamycin, Ethofenprox (Etofenprox), Phorate, Triazophos, Alachior and Monocrotophos.