IMPHAL, July 11: Opposition leader MLA Dr I Ibohalbi Singh urged the House for the immediate need to properly dispose the expired pesticides which are highly hazardous.
Raising the discussion in regard to the Agriculture department, the MLA said that a huge consignment of pesticides was procured by the department way back from 1997 till 1994 and the same has long since expired.
Originally meant for the use of farmers, the expired consignments are kept in a warehouse and consist of 38 types. Insecticides, Fungicides, Weedicides and Rodenticide are still under improper storage and the main problem is 68.98 kg of cynogen which has the deadly chemical cynide as a main composition.
The containers with the deadly gas inside are presently rusted and there is an immediate danger of leakage. `If some containers leak , then there may be another Bhopal gas leak episode, the expired pesticides has to be disposed properly and at the soonest`, he further urged the House that since there is no proper facility to properly dispose the hazard material, prompt measures should be initiated from the concerned departments in the regard.
He also mentioned that there is no facility in the north east which can safely dispose the chemicals.
Replying to the discussion, agriculture minister Abdul Nasir said that he is thankful that such an important issue has been highlighted in the House and that will ensure safe disposal of the hazard.