Insecticides Act,1968

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-14072026-274460 EXTRAORDINARY PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 3638] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, JULY 13, 2026/ASHADHA 22, 1948 5272 GI/2026 MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 10th July, 2026 S.O. 3800(E). - Whereas the Central Government in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare constituted an Expert Committee on 14 January 2026 to examine the continued use of or otherwise of Paraquat Dichloride insecticide registered in India which, after detailed examination submitted its report to the Central Government on the 12 June 2026; And whereas, the Central Government, has undertaken consultation with the Registration Committee constituted under section 5 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 (46 of 1968). And whereas, the Registration Committee has submitted its recommendation with regard to status of submission of recommended studies, data and safety concerns; And, whereas, the Registration Committee has noted in its recommendation that Paraquat Dichloride has been banned or severely restricted in more than 70 countries. It has further identified several areas of concern including documented adverse health effects; continued history of poisoning incidents and reported high fatalities; the absence of a specific antidote; among others. And, whereas, the Registration Committee has recommended complete prohibition of Paraquat Dichloride in India, i.e. an immediate ban on the manufacture, import, transport, distribution, sale, and use of Paraquat Dichloride under the Insecticides Act, 1968; And, whereas, the Central Government, after duly considering the report of the Registration Committee is satisfied that the use of Paraquat Dichloride insecticide is likely to involve risk to human being and animals as to render it expedient or necessary to take immediate action; Now therefore, the Draft Order, which the Central Government proposes to make, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section 2 of Section 27 read with section 28 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 is hereby published for information of all persons likely to be affected thereby and notice is hereby given that the said draft order shall be taken into consideration after the expiry of a period of thirty days from the date on which the copies of the Gazette of India containing this Order are made available to the public; Any objection or suggestion which may be received from any person in respect of the said draft Order before the expiry of the aforesaid period of thirty days will be considered by the Central Government. Any objection or suggestion in respect to the said draft Order may be forwarded to the Joint Secretary (Plant Protection), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001. DRAFT ORDER 1. Short title and commencement .- (1) This Order may be called the Banning of Paraquat Dichloride Order, 2026; (2) It shall come into force on the date of its final publication in the Official Gazette. 2. Prohibition of Paraquat Dichloride Insecticide: (1) No person shall import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribute and use Paraquat Dichloride from the date of publication of this Order. (2) The Registration Committee shall call back the certificate of registrations granted for the Paraquat Dichloride. (3) If any person who holds the certificate of registration fails to return the certificate to the Registration Committee, referred to in clause (2), within a period of three months, action shall be taken under the provisions contained in the said Act. (4) The certificate of registrations for the Paraquat Dichloride granted under section 9 of the said Act shall be deemed to be cancelled from the date of this order. (5) Every State Government shall take all such steps under the provisions of the said Act and the rules framed thereunder, as it considers necessary for the execution of this order in the state. [F. No. 12078/01/2023-PP-I] MUKTANAND AGRAWAL, Jt. Secy. Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054. VINOD KUMAR Digitally signed by VINOD KUMAR Date: 2026.07.14 14:21:41 +05'30'