Goa, July 14 -- The Centre has issued a draft notification proposing a nationwide ban on paraquat dichloride, one of the world's most toxic herbicides, citing serious health risks and widespread misuse. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has prohibited its import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use under the Insecticides Act, 1968. Stakeholders have 30 days from July 13 to submit objections before the notification is finalised.

The move follows recommendations from a government-appointed expert panel and comes after years of concerns raised by doctors, toxicologists and agricultural experts. More than 70 countries, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and China, have already banned or...