Although most of the dangers from unregulated and indiscriminate use of pesticides were brought into focus as early as in the year 1958 when the Government of India appointed a Commission of enquiry to suggest Inter-alia remedial measures following a number of deaths in Kerela and Madras (Tamil Nadu) by poisoning through the consumption of imported wheat contaminated by pesticide accidentally which was shipped together with food grains. The whole question of pesticide use and legislation was studied in 1964-67 by an Expert Committee of Indian Council of Agricultural Research headed by Prof. M.S. Thacker. Based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee a comprehensive Insecticides Act was passed in 1968 to regulate the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use of insecticides with a view to prevent risks to human beings and animals and for other matters connected therewith. The enforcement of Act was tranferred to the Ministry of Agriculture in the year 1970 by the Ministry of Health and family Planning. The department of Agriculture of this Ministry took immediate steps to frame the Rules and constituted Central insecticides Board and Registration committee.
Ministry of Agriculture