Jaipur, June 8 -- Rajasthan recorded 535 pesticide-related deaths between January 2024 and January 2026, the state's Agriculture Department told the Legislative Assembly after a question from Congress MLA Amin Kagzi. The government said the deaths were approved for compensation under the Chief Minister Kisan Saathi Yojana, and families received a total of Rs.5.10 crore during the period. The reply acknowledged that farmers and farm workers can suffer serious illness or death from unsafe handling and improper use of pesticides during spraying operations. It added there is no compensation provision under the Insecticides Act, 1968, or the Insecticides Rules, 1971, and that financial assistance was provided through the state welfare scheme. District-wise figures showed Bikaner with the highest number of pesticide-related deaths at 57, followed by Churu (56), Hanumangarh (42) and Jhalawar (42). Jodhpur recorded 38 deaths, while Sri Ganganagar and Beawar reported 31 each. Several districts, including Dholpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sirohi, Banswara, Dungarpur and Salumber, recorded no pesticide-related deaths during the period. Compensation payouts were highest in Bikaner (Rs.92 lakh), followed by Churu (Rs.72 lakh), Jodhpur (Rs.58 lakh) and Hanumangarh (Rs.48 lakh). On product quality, authorities tested 5,521 pesticide samples between January 2024 and January 2026, finding 189 to be substandard. Enforcement drives resulted in 282 show-cause notices, seizures of agricultural inputs in four cases, suspension of four licences and cancellation of 22 licences under the Insecticides Act and Rules. Responding to concerns, Rajasthan agriculture minister Kirodi Lal Meena said the government would review the data and take further measures if required. He said the state was actively encouraging organic and sustainable farming practices while promoting the safe and judicious use of pesticides. Meena said awareness campaigns and training programmes were being conducted to ensure safe handling of pesticides and that monitoring and safety mechanisms would be strengthened to protect farmers and agricultural workers. Reacting to the figures, MLA Amin Kagzi said: "It's a serious issue, but nothing has been done. On average, one person is dying every day. Had the government machinery focused on the issue and paid proper attention, such a scenario would not have occurred." He added: "The government did not probe the matter and is protecting the responsible officials and pesticide companies. Peanuts have been given in the name of compensation." Farmer leader and Kisan Mahapanchayat president Rampal Jat said: "These deaths have occurred due to the greed of pesticide companies. When they sell their products, they do not adequately inform farmers about the necessary precautions, and there is a lack of awareness."...