The state has already banned use of this non-selective herbicide since October 5 last year.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Arabinda Padhee has written to the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare secretary requesting him to ban this herbicide in accordance with the provisions of section 27(2) of the Insecticide Act, 1968. “As per a report of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Paraquat and its derivatives are highly toxic chemicals and their effect on the human body is lethal. In a separate report, VIMSAR, Burla, a leading medical college, has reported that 140 out of 149 patients admitted into the hospital died due to adverse effects of Paraquat from September 2017 to August 2019,” the letter said.

The VIMSAR further reported that Paraquat causes a spectrum of complications including acute respiratory distress syndrome, renal failure, hepatotoxicity, pulmonary fibrosis and multi-organ dysfunction leading to death of individuals. The medical college authority recommended a complete ban of the herbicide as it has no antidote.

Similarly, collectors and chief district agriculture officers of 15 districts also mentioned about people committing suicide by consuming Paraquat. Thirteen farmers in Nayagarh district died due to Paraquat poisoning last year.

The official letter added that the department has received several grievances and representations from different corners for a total ban on the herbicide.