Title

Implementation of Insecticides Act, 1968

Type

Central Sector Scheme

Objectives

Judicious use of quality pesticides is an indispensable input in plant protection.  Pesticides are commonly used in crop protection measures for sustaining food production.  These are also used for the control of vector born diseases.  Pesticides, being toxic by their very nature, are hazardous to human beings and ecosystem.  The residues of pesticides enter into food chain and cause harm to human and animal health.  Keeping this in view, the import, manufacture, sale, transport, use etc. of pesticides is being regulated under a comprehensive statute- The Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Rules framed thereunder-to ensure availability of quality, safe and efficacious pesticides to the farming community.

Salient features

The components of the Scheme are :-

i)                   Central Insecticides Laboratory (CIL)- under Section 16 of the Act for analysis of samples of insecticides under Section 24 (4) as well as  pre and post-registration verification of the properties, performance and hazards of pesticides ;

ii)                 Secretariat of Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC)- for mandatory registration of insecticides for regulating their import and manufacture as well as to monitor the administration of the Act;

iii)              Regional Pesticides Testing Laboratories (RPTLs)-for supplementing the resources of States/ UTs in monitoring the quality of pesticides by providing the work place to the notified Insecticide Analysts for undertaking analysis of pesticide samples under Section 24(1) of the Act.

iv)                Coordination Cell  (CC) at Headquarters- for policy planning of the Scheme, coordination of the work of RPTLs, appointment and coordination of the work of Central Insecticide Inspectors and  scrutiny of proposals, release and monitoring  of grants-in-aid for strengthening and setting-up of State Pesticides Testing Laboratories(SPTLs) ; and

v)                  Grants-in-aid to States/ UTs for strengthening/ setting-up of State Pesticides Testing Laboratories (SPTLs). 

Pattern of assistance

100% grants by Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.

Eligibility

The Scheme is implemented at both Central and State levels as per the provisions of the Act. The activity of strengthening/ setting-up of SPTLs is taken by the respective States depending on the requirement of monitoring of type of insecticides used in the States by the farmers.

Procedure to apply

The respective States/ UTs  submit proposals for strengthening/ setting-up of SPTLs keeping in view their requirements of quality control of insecticides.  The proposals are processed keeping in view the objectives of the Scheme and necessary assistance is released  depending on the funds made available for the purpose by the Govt. of India.

Person to be contacted

The Joint Secretary,
Plant Protection Division,
Department of Agriculture & Cooperation,
Krishi Bhawan,
New Delhi.

Date of Start/ Duration

The Scheme of  Implementation of Insecticides Act, 1968  commenced after framing  of the Insecticides Rules in 1971 and its Plan components which include strengthening of quality control facilities are still continuing.

Implementation Status

The release of  grants-in-aid for strengthening/ setting-up of SPTLs  to the States/ UTs commenced during the VIII Five Year Plan, and is continuing during IX Plan.