Question : OVER CHARGING OF PRICE OF PESTICIDES BY MNCS



(a) whether the Government are aware that the multinational companies are charging ten times of the world market price in respect of various pesticides used to control pests in cotton, rice, vegetables etc;

(b) if so, the names of all such pesticides with their percentage formulation and trade names;

(c) the steps taken by the Government to seek information from the multinational about the cost of production and then fixing the selling price for the Indian market; and

(d) the steps taken to encourage and motivate Indian manufacturers to manufacture these range of pesticides so that they are available to the farmers at cheaper prices?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS ( SHRI S.B. MOOKHERJEE)

(a) to (c): Prices of pesticides are not regulated and are governed by the market forces.

(d) : Indian manufacturers are free to undertake manufacture of any pesticide as there is no restriction for such production.