HC Halts Ban on 11 Pesticides for Basmati in Punjab
08-Aug-2025 01:14 PM
Chandigarh. Although the Punjab government had banned the use of 11 pesticides in the cultivation of Basmati rice with the aim of bringing the quality of Basmati rice to international standards, the organization of pesticide manufacturing companies filed a petition against it in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Hearing this, the High Court has issued a stay order on the government order. It is worth noting that the Punjab government had banned the use of pesticides considered dangerous for Basmati rice in June 2025.
The ban imposed by the Agriculture Department of Punjab on the use of pesticides was to come into effect from August 1 and remain effective for the next 60 days (two months). During this period, these chemicals are used for the Basmati rice crop in the state.
The residue of these chemicals remains present in Basmati rice and as a result there is great difficulty in exporting it in the international market. Punjab's Basmati rice exporters are unhappy with the High Court's stay order.
They are not commenting on the court's order but are definitely expressing their displeasure against the Punjab government.
Exporters say that the ban imposed on the use of pesticides was the right decision of the Punjab government but it could not succeed in presenting its case strongly in the court.
The Basmati Exporters Association is now planning to file a petition in the court against this stay order of the court so that the ban order of the Punjab government can remain valid.
In fact, most of the major importing countries of America, Europe and West Asia and the Gulf region have often complained about the high residue of pesticides in Basmati rice. In the European Union, strict rules have also been implemented for this.
APEDA had suggested the Punjab government to take steps in this direction because there was a growing possibility of Basmati rice exports being affected due to these pesticide chemicals. Rice Exporters Association and Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana had also given a similar suggestion.