The Supreme Court would decide on Friday whether to impose an interim ban on the production and sale of controversial pesticide endosulfan in the country, pending an elaborate hearing and its decision over a plea for it.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice, Mr S.H. Kapadia, today directed the petitioner, CPI M’s youth wing Democratic Youth Federation of India and other parties to file their respective replies by Friday to assist the court in reaching a decision on the issue.

The Bench also allowed various firms producing endosulfan to become parties to the plea against the controversial pesticide, which is said to have harmful effects on the environment and human beings.

Appearing for the Government, the Solicitor General, Mr Gopal Subramanium, told the Bench that it is still awaiting various scientific reports over the harmful effects of the pesticide.

The Government is also looking for alternative pesticide for farmers so that their interests are not harmed.

He further said, “Before banning it, we must consider paucity of the pesticide. Whatever reports we have till now on endosulfan are inconclusive.”

The Apex court had earlier sought a response from the Centre on a petition seeking a ban on sale and production of endosulfan across the country.

While issuing notices to various parties, including the Union Government, the Bench had also asked the Solicitor General to remain present for today’s hearing to assist the court.

It said endosulfan was the only pesticide applied to cashew plantations in Kasaragod for 20 years and had contaminated the environment there.

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