THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala and Tamil Nadu are at loggerheads over the pesticides-ridden vegetables and fruits being sent here from that state.
After the pesticide lobby – the Crop Care Federation of India – slapped a legal notice on Food Safety Commissioner T.V. Anupama, the Kerala government retaliated by saying it amounted to preventing the commissioner from discharging her duty.
According to sources, the pesticide lobby served the notice based on an online report on the high level of pesticides in vegetables sent from Tamil Nadu. The pesticide manufacturers have demanded an explanation from the commissioner for kicking off a campaign to discredit the quality of vegetables being cultivated in that state.
“The notice was threatening and it’s unacceptable. They should have sent the notice to the publisher of the news item. This notice can be treated as an obstruction which is a non-bailable offence,” said an official.
“Every decision and step taken by the Food Safety Commissioner to ensure food safety is the statutory responsibility as per the Food Safety and Standards Act which gives one full protection,” the official added.
The meeting of southern states called by the government on Tuesday was postponed. According to officials, Tamil Nadu has stopped cooperating with Kerala.
“Initially, the Tamil Nadu government took several measures to control the usage of pesticides but now the issue has turned political and they have stopped cooperating with us,” said a source. Tamil Nadu’s pesticide market is close to Rs 600 - 700 crore.
