M A I N   N E W S

15-member JPC to probe pesticide issue
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 22
The government today announced the setting up of a 15-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe allegations of presence of pesticides in 12 major soft drink brands.

Union Health and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj moved a motion to this effect in the Lok Sabha. The motion was adopted by voice vote.

Mrs Swaraj said of the 15 members, 10 would be from the Lok Sabha and five from the Rajya Sabha.

The members from the Lok Sabha are: Mr Sharad Pawar (NCP); Mr K. Yerranaidu (TDP); Ms Sudha Yadav and Mr Anant Kumar (BJP); Mr Ramesh Chennithala and Mr Avtar Singh Bhadana (Congress); Mr E. Ahmed (Muslim League); Mr Ranjit Panja (Trinamool Congress); Mr Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party); and Mr Anil Basu (CPM).

The Rajya Sabha members on this JPC are: Mr S.S. Ahluwalia, Mr Prthviraj Chavan, Mr Sanjay Nirupam, Mr Prem Chand Gupta and Mr Prasanta Chatterjee.

The Lok Sabha Speaker will appoint the Chairman of the JPC. The JPC will assess the findings of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on the presence of pesticide residues in soft drinks much above the limits allowed under the European Union (EU) standards. According to the motion, the JPC will decide whether the CSE findings are “correct or not.”

It will also suggest the criteria for laying down safety standards for such drinks.

The JPC will be asked to submit its report at the beginning of the next session.