After Rahul Ramakrishna’s SOS, Telangana bans paraquat pesticide for 60 days

Hyderabad: The Government of Telangana has announced a ban on the highly toxic pesticide, paraquat, for 60 days, starting immediately.

Speaking to NewsMeter, officials from the Agriculture Department confirmed the government’s order, stating that the ban is effective immediately from March 31.

What is paraquat?

Paraquat is a highly toxic, non-selective herbicide notorious for being fatal if ingested, as it currently lacks a known antidote.

The officials said the move is aimed at safeguarding public health and protecting the farming community. They emphasised that it will proactively curb the misuse and hazardous impact of the chemical across the state.

What does the order state?

According to the official government order, the prohibition is comprehensive. It states: “The sale, stock, distribution, manufacturing, and use of Paraquat and its derivatives/formulation is hereby banned in the State of Telangana for a period of 60 days, with immediate effect from the issue of this order.”

The Agriculture Department has been tasked with conducting field inspections and taking stringent, punitive action against any individual or entity found violating these regulations.

Why the ban now?

The government’s notification cites serious feedback regarding the ‘adverse effects’ of paraquat on both human health and animals.

Invoking powers under Section 27 of the Insecticides Act, 1968, the administration has directed the Director of Agriculture to ensure strict compliance.

Actor Rahul Ramakrishna’s campaign for change

The government’s decision follows a high-profile, emotional campaign led by Tollywood actor Rahul Ramakrishna.

The actor had previously submitted an urgent SOS to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy from his X account, highlighting the lethal dangers of the substance after suffering the tragic personal loss of his brother to paraquat poisoning.

In his plea, the actor described the chemical as a catalyst for a ‘slow and painful death’ and urged the state to prioritise the safety of rural families by banning its circulation.

His campaign brought much-needed national attention to the ease with which such hazardous substances remain accessible in local markets.

Enforcement and impact

For the next two months, the state will strictly monitor the pesticide trade to ensure that no banned stocks are in circulation.

All forms of manufacturing, stocking, selling and usage of Paraquat are now strictly illegal. The Agriculture Department has been mandated to enforce these regulations to prevent further preventable tragedies in the state’s agricultural belt.