Decision on banning Endosulfan after ICMR report: Centre

New Delhi, April 26: As Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan went on a day-long fast demanding a nationwide ban on pesticide Endosulfan, the Centre Monday said it would take a view on the issue "in the best interest of the country" after the ICMR submits its report.

"The use of Endosulfan has been banned in Kerala.

However, imposing a nationwide ban would require national consensus backed by scientific study," a PMO release said after Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy and KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Prime Minister informed the delegation that the Centre has "an open mind on this issue".

Noting that a committee chaired by Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) was presently examining the harmful effects of Endosulfan on the health of the people, the release said the Committee would be asked to "expedite" its report.

"Based on the findings a view would be taken in the best interest of the country," the release said.

It said an all-party delegation from the state met the Prime Minister on February 22 and urged him to impose a nationwide ban on the pesticide. The delegation stated that the use of the pesticide had led to serious health hazards in Kasargod district of Kerala.

They also urged the Centre to take up this issue at the Stockholm Convention for a worldwide ban on the use of this pesticide.

Demanding a nationwide ban on the pesticide Endosulfan, Achuthanandan observed a day long state-wide mass fast in Thiruvananthapuram from 10 AM.

He was joined in the seven-hour fast as part of ''anti-Endosulfan day'' by leaders of various political parties, including BJP, cultural personalities, rights activists and representatives of NGOs.

PTI