In exercise of the powers conferred by section 4 of the Insecticides Act

## Report on Amendments to Notifications under the Insecticides Act, 1968 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes two amendments to notifications issued under the Insecticides Act, 1968. The amendments, detailed in notifications S.O. 1005(E) and S.O. 1006(E), both dated February 25, 2021, concern the appointment of Dr. Sunil Chandra Dubey to key positions within the regulatory framework. Specifically, one amendment pertains to membership nomination under Section 4 of the Act, and the other to membership on the Central Insecticides Board under Section 5. The report provides an overview of the changes, their background, and potential impact on stakeholders. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide information regarding recent amendments to notifications under the Insecticides Act, 1968, as published in the Gazette of India on March 3, 2021. The analysis is based solely on the provided policy text and is intended to inform stakeholders about the key changes introduced. **3. Policy Overview:** This report analyzes two separate amendments to notifications under the Insecticides Act, 1968. * **Amendment 1 (S.O. 1005(E)):** Amends the notification of the Government of India, in the erstwhile Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Community Development and Cooperation Department of Agriculture, dated the 27th February, 1971, published in the Gazette of India, Part II, Section 3, Subsection i, vide number G.S.R. 301E, dated the 1st March, 1971. * **Amendment 2 (S.O. 1006(E)):** Amends the notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, dated the 3rd February, 1997, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Subsection ii, vide number S.O. 79E, dated the 4th February, 1997. **Core Objective(s):** Based on the text, the core objective of these amendments is to modify the composition of regulatory bodies established under the Insecticides Act, 1968. Specifically, it relates to the appointment or nomination of members to these bodies. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendments likely stem from the need to update the membership of key regulatory bodies under the Insecticides Act, 1968. The specific amendments seem designed to incorporate new expertise or adjust the composition of these bodies in line with evolving needs and priorities in the field of plant protection and biosafety. The inclusion of an expert in Plant Protection Biosafety suggests a growing emphasis on these aspects within the regulatory framework. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section details the changes introduced by each amendment: * **Amendment 1 (S.O. 1005(E)):** * **Specific Part Changed:** This amendment substitutes the entries relating to serial number xix d in the original notification. * **New Rule/Provision:** Dr. Sunil Chandra Dubey, Assistant Director General Plant Protection Biosafety, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, is nominated as a member under clause xix of subsection 3 of section 4. * **Difference/Effect:** Dr. Dubey's nomination is for a period of 3 years, effective from the date of publication of the notification. This adds his expertise in plant protection and biosafety to the regulatory process, likely influencing decision-making related to insecticide regulation and related areas. * **Amendment 2 (S.O. 1006(E)):** * **Specific Part Changed:** This amendment substitutes the entries relating to serial number 4 in the original notification. * **New Rule/Provision:** Dr. Sunil Chandra Dubey, Assistant Director General Plant Protection Biosafety, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, is designated as a member of the Central Insecticides Board. * **Difference/Effect:** Dr. Dubey's tenure as a member of the Board is contingent upon his continued membership. This reinforces the importance of his role within the Board and potentially strengthens the Board's capacity to address issues related to plant protection and biosafety. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders for these amendments include: * The Insecticide Industry: Companies involved in the manufacture, import, sale, and use of insecticides. * The Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee: The regulatory bodies responsible for administering the Insecticides Act, 1968. * The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The government ministry responsible for overseeing the regulation of insecticides. * Agricultural researchers and scientists: Those involved in plant protection and biosafety research. * Farmers and agricultural extension workers: Those who ultimately use insecticides for crop protection. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency/bodies:** The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, along with the Central Insecticides Board, is responsible for implementing these amendments. * **Timelines or procedures:** Amendment 1 specifies a 3-year term for Dr. Dubey, commencing from the notification's publication date. Amendment 2 links Dr. Dubey's membership to his continued role as a member of the Central Insecticides Board. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of these changes is to enhance the expertise and decision-making capacity of regulatory bodies involved in insecticide regulation. The inclusion of Dr. Dubey, with his background in Plant Protection Biosafety, suggests a greater focus on scientific and environmental considerations in the regulation of insecticides. These changes could potentially lead to: * More informed decisions regarding the registration and use of insecticides. * Greater emphasis on biosafety and environmental protection in insecticide regulation. * Improved alignment of regulatory practices with current scientific knowledge and best practices. **9. Conclusion:** The amendments to notifications S.O. 1005(E) and S.O. 1006(E) under the Insecticides Act, 1968, represent a targeted effort to strengthen the expertise and composition of regulatory bodies involved in insecticide regulation. The appointment of Dr. Sunil Chandra Dubey, with his specialization in Plant Protection Biosafety, highlights the growing importance of these considerations within the regulatory framework. These changes are likely to have a positive impact on the effectiveness and responsiveness of insecticide regulation, promoting both agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.

Key Entities Referenced