The Centre on Wednesday released the draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025, which intends to replace the current Insecticides Act, 1968. The government has sought feedback from the stakeholders by February 4 so that it can be finalised and introduced in the ensuing Budget session of Parliament.
In November last year, the Government released the draft Seeds Bill, but it could not be introduced in the winter session of Parliament as announced. The Seeds Bill, too, is likely to be introduced in the Budget session. Critics said that the Bill, though better than the previous draft, still needs a few more provisions
“Under section 39 (f) related to Powers of Pesticide Inspector, the draft Bill refers to an Executive Magistrate appointed by state government ‘under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973’, even though the CrPC has already been replaced by Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Similarly section 50 mentions Indian Penal Code, which is too replaced by BNS,” an expert said alleging the same draft of 2020 has been retained.
