India's pesticide regulation crisis: A policy in perpetual draft

India's agricultural sector, a cornerstone of its economy and food security, is grappling with a severe crisis in pesticide regulation. At the heart of this issue lies the antiquated Insecticides Act of 1968, a piece of legislation that, despite its initial intent, is now woefully inadequate to address the complexities of modern agriculture and environmental concerns. This legislative inertia has created a 'policy in perpetual draft,' leading to significant human and environmental costs, emblematic of a development model overly reliant on chemical inputs.

The **background context** for this crisis dates back to the Green Revolution in the late 1960s and 70s. India, striving for food self-sufficiency, embraced high-yielding varieties of crops, irrigation, and crucially, chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The Insecticides Act, 1968, was enacted during this period to regulate the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution, and use of insecticides (pesticides). While it served its purpose then, it lacks crucial provisions for farmer compensation in cases of pesticide-related harm, does not adequately address data transparency, and struggles to regulate the vast array of new chemical formulations that have emerged over five decades. This outdated framework allows for the continued use of many Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) that are banned in numerous developed nations, putting India among the largest global consumers of these chemicals.

The government's attempt to modernize this framework led to the introduction of the **Pesticides Management Bill (PMB) 2020** in the Rajya Sabha. This Bill aimed to replace the 1968 Act with a more robust and responsive regulatory system. Key proposed features included stricter regulation of pesticide manufacturing and sale, mandatory data generation on pesticide use and impact, provisions for farmer compensation for losses due to spurious or low-quality pesticides, and increased transparency regarding pesticide approvals and bans. However, despite its critical importance, the PMB 2020 has remained in a state of 'perpetual draft,' failing to be enacted into law, thus prolonging the crisis.

**Key stakeholders** involved in this intricate issue include the **Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare** and its subsidiary body, the **Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC)**, which is responsible for the registration and regulation of pesticides. Farmers are perhaps the most directly impacted stakeholders, facing health risks from exposure and economic losses from crop damage or lack of compensation. The powerful **pesticide industry** (manufacturers, importers, distributors) represents significant economic interests, often lobbying against stricter regulations. Environmental groups, public health organizations, and consumer advocacy bodies also play crucial roles in highlighting the adverse impacts and advocating for reform.

**Why this matters for India** is multifaceted. Socially, the extensive use of pesticides and the lack of regulatory oversight contribute to significant public health concerns. Farmers and agricultural workers are at high risk of acute poisoning and chronic diseases, including various cancers, neurological disorders, and reproductive issues, impacting their fundamental **Right to Life (Article 21)**. Residues in food products pose a threat to the broader population, impacting food safety and public health, a concern that aligns with the **Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) under Article 47**, which mandates the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and improve public health. Environmentally, pesticide overuse leads to soil degradation, water contamination, loss of biodiversity (especially beneficial insects like pollinators), and disruption of ecosystems, directly contravening **Article 48A of the Constitution**, another DPSP, which directs the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife. Economically, beyond the healthcare costs, India's agricultural exports can face rejections from countries with stricter Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), impacting farmer incomes and national trade. The policy paralysis also hinders the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, keeping farmers locked into a chemical-intensive cycle.

Looking at **future implications**, the continued delay in enacting a modern pesticide management law will exacerbate the existing health and environmental crises. It will hinder India's progress towards sustainable development goals and potentially impact its global trade standing for agricultural products. Passing the PMB 2020 or a similar comprehensive legislation is crucial. This would not only provide a legal framework for farmer protection and environmental safeguarding but also encourage the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic farming practices. The push towards sustainable agriculture, as envisioned by schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, relies heavily on reducing chemical dependency. The crisis underscores a broader theme of governance challenges in India, where vital legislative reforms are often stalled, leading to significant societal costs and a disconnect between policy intent and ground reality. The government must balance the immediate need for food production with the long-term imperative of public health and environmental sustainability, ensuring that farmers, who are the backbone of the nation, are protected, and the food they produce is safe for all.

**Related constitutional articles, acts, or policies** include the **Insecticides Act, 1968**, the proposed **Pesticides Management Bill, 2020**, **Article 21** (Right to Life), **Article 47** (Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and improve public health), and **Article 48A** (Protection and improvement of environment) of the Indian Constitution. Additionally, the **Environmental Protection Act, 1986**, provides a broader framework for environmental safeguarding, under which specific rules for hazardous substances can be framed.