Pesticide poisoning: Fadnavis assures strict action against guilty

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday visited the victims of pesticide poisoning at Yavatmal civil hospital and assured the strictest action against those responsible for the tragedy.

At least 18 farmers have died over the past three months in Yavatmal district owing to an alleged exposure to a toxic pesticide. Several others have been admitted to hospital in critical condition.

The Chief Minister also chaired a meeting of health, agriculture and revenue officials at Yavatmal Collector office and took stock of the situation.

In the meeting, officials informed Fadnavis that Rs 50 lakh were immediately given to Civil Hospital for patient's treatment and around 8000 new pesticide kits were distributed to farmers.

It was told in the meeting that specially formed teams have completed the inspection at Krishi Seva Kendras and extensive training program are being undertaken.

Fadnavis ordered strong and strict action against the people selling unlicensed products, the wholesalers supplying these pesticides without verification, and also the companies manufacturing it.

The Chief Minister directed the authorities to tour entire district and asked them to fix a schedule for every village.

He also directed marketing officials to personally monitor the opening of cotton purchase centers for which orders have already been issued.