Reacting to a news "Confusion persists over ban on 12 pesticides in Punjab..." reported by The Hindu Business Line on August 22, 2025, the Corp Care Federation of India (CCFI) has categorically said that there is no confusion. “ There is no scope of any confusion,” reacted Harish Mehta, Senior Advisor, Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI). 

In a media release, the Federation says: “A perusal of the Order passed by the Hon’ble Court makes it abundantly clear that the Stay granted by the Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court does not operate only on the Notification No. O. 29/C.A. 46/1968/S.27/2025 dated 10.05.2025 but also on the action of the Punjab Govt. of repeatedly prohibiting the sale of the same set of products year after year without any basis.” 

According to CCFI, the Order passed by the Hon’ble High Court is based on the following crucial facts: 

1. That Punjab Govt. has been banning the insecticides in question since 2018. 

2. The Court further notes that a report dated 24.01.2024 issued by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) was forwarded by the Govt. of Punjab to the Central Govt. recommending a ban on the products in question. 

3. The Court further records that the expert body of the Central Govt. (the Registration Committee) has found “no concerns of safety” relating to the products mentioned in the PAU report dated 24.01.2024. 

Interestingly, the aforesaid PAU report covers all the 11 products covered in the Notification No. O. 29/C.A. 46/1968/S.27/2025 dated 10.05.2025 as well as Hexaconazol that was prohibited by a similarly worded Notification in 2023 and also by way of a subsequent Notification No. S.O. 122/C.A.46/1968/S.27/2025 issued on 15.07.2025. 

“Thus, it is obvious that the Registration Committee has not found any safety concern with regard to any of the products mentioned in the report of PAU including Hexaconazole. These molecules have been tried over the years and proved efficacious when used on different crops including basmati” Mr Mehta clarified," CCFI informs. 

Elaborating further, Ashish Kothari, Advocate representing CCFI, stated: “ While the issuance of a new notification by the Punjab Govt. on 15.07.2025 is itself questionable in view of the fact that the Notification dated 10.05.2025 (which was to take effect from 01.08.2025 i.e. the same date on which the 15.07.2025 Notification was to take effect) had already been issued and was sub-judice before the Hon’ble Court, the fact that the Registration Committee has already given a view that none of the products specified in the Notification dated 15.07.2025 pose any safety risk, the said Notification dated 15.07.2025 cannot now be implemented. In fact, implementing the said Notification dated 15.07.2025 may also expose the Punjab Govt. to contempt of court proceedings” 

The Media report quotes Ashok Sethi, Director of Punjab, Rice Millers and Exporters Association as “Manufacturing companies push for selling their products, unmindful of the consequences leaving residue traces.” 

“This statement is not based on any scientific basis as no details of any consignment being rejected have ever been shared inspite of RTIs filed by us,” Nirmala Pathrawal, Executive Director, CCFI, expressed surprise on this issue. 

Dr Prem Garg, President, IREF had similar apprehension while speaking to ET Swadesh which are unfounded. 

The sales in the districts of Punjab of these molecule on basmati is on, uninterrupted. CCFI members have resolved to intensify Farmer Training Programmes on safe and judicious use on all crops of economic importance.