NHRC notices to Punjab Govt, Union Health Ministry

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC ) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report about how excessive use of pesticides and insecticides have left residue of heavy metals in soil and ground water causing various serious diseases to many people in the Malwa region of Punjab. The newspaper has quoted a study conducted by the Baba Farid Centre for Special Children in this regard, as well as stories of some affected people from different villages in the region.

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, and Secretary, Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, for a detailed report within six weeks. They have been asked to inform about the steps taken, after the year 2012, when the Commission had disposed the matter on the assurance given by the State Government for an affirmative and prompt action to deal with the menace, according to an NHRC release.

The NHRC has observed that it seems that even after lapse of a period of more than 7 years,  things have not moved and the people residing in the Malwa region are still suffering from various diseases including cancer, liver failure, renal failure and birth defects etc. The negligence by the state authorities has caused serious violation of human rights of these people. The insensitive approach of the administration is apparent, it said.

In the media report, carried on January 28, 2018, it is mentioned that heavy metals are reaching the environment in dangerous amounts due to their use in products like pesticides, herbicides, medicines, paints and cosmetics. It is further stated that the chemical farming plays havoc with the environment and it is responsible for the rising levels of heavy metals in more than one way. A study, reportedly conducted by the Baba Farid Centre for Special Children, an NGO, suggests that heavy metals may be responsible for a steady decline in sperm count, disturbed ovulation cycles, increasing menstrual disorders, sterility, spontaneous abortions, premature births and birth defects.

Dr J S Thakur, Professor, School of Public Health, PGI, who is reviewing the studies on the presence of heavy metals in Punjab, has stated that the levels of arsenium, fluoride, inorganic pollutants, pesticides and other heavy metals are beyond permissible limits in the water due to which people residing in the area are suffering from various diseases including Cancer which is a multi-factorial disease.

Earlier, in 2011 also, the Commission had taken suo-motu cognizance of a media report raising similar issues alleging that the disease of cancer among farmers of the Malwa region of Punjab is caused due to excessive use of pesticides on the crops.