Centre has open mind on issue, PM tells delegation

As Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan led a fast in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, demanding a nationwide ban on Endosulfan, the Union government on Monday said it would take a view on the issue “in the best interest of the country” after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) submitted its report.

Consensus needed

“The use of Endosulfan has been banned in Kerala. However, imposing a nationwide ban would require national consensus backed by a scientific study,” a release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. Earlier, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Dr. Singh told the delegation that the Centre had “an open mind on this issue.”

Noting that a committee chaired by Director General of ICMR was examining the harmful effects of Endosulfan on the health of people, the release said the panel would be asked to “expedite” its report.

“Based on the findings, a view would be taken in the best interest of the country,” it said. — PTI