The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has introduced the “Insecticides (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2023.” These amendments aim to improve and facilitate the process of transferring licenses for the sale of insecticides. The rules come into effect immediately from 26th October, 2023.
Key Amendments to the Insecticides Rules, 1971:
The primary focus of these amendments is to address the transfer of licenses in the event of the death of an existing retailer or dealer. The key provisions are as follows:
- Transfer of License: In the unfortunate event of the death of an existing retailer or dealer holding a valid license, the family member of the deceased retailer or dealer may apply for permission to transfer the license in their name. This transfer is subject to the submission of essential documents, including the death certificate of the deceased dealer or retailer and the legal heir certificate, before the concerned licensing officer.
- Qualification Requirement: An essential aspect of the amendments is that the family member of the deceased retailer or dealer seeking the license transfer should meet the qualifications referred to in rule 10. If the family member lacks these qualifications, they must undergo a certificate course in insecticides management for the transfer of the license.
- Provisional Transfer: In cases where the family member of the deceased retailer or dealer does not possess the requisite qualifications, the license will be provisionally transferred to the family member for a period of one year or until they successfully complete the certificate course in insecticides management, whichever occurs earlier. During this period, the applicant has the option to employ an individual with the necessary educational qualifications as referred to in rule 10.
These amendments are a step in streamlining the process of transferring licenses for the sale of insecticides, ensuring that businesses can continue to operate without undue interruption in the event of the death of a licensee. Moreover, by providing for the provisional transfer and the opportunity to acquire the necessary qualifications, these rules offer flexibility and support to the family members of deceased retailers or dealers.
