D.Y. Chandrachud, Hrishikesh Roy,J. - (1.) In pursuance of the order of this Court on 16 July 2019, the Union of India in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare constituted an expert High Powered Committee. The Committee submitted its report. Thereafter, when the proceedings were listed before this Court on 22 November 2019, we had indicated to Mr A N S Nadkarni, learned Additional Solicitor General that it would be appropriate if the Union of India has a fresh exercise conducted by a committee drawn from experts having specialized domain knowledge in the area pertaining to the control of vector borne diseases.
(2.) Mr. Nadkarni has, on seeking instructions from officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, suggested that the Expert Committee may include the following specialists who are drawn from reputed institutions: (i) Prof. A P Dash, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Former Regional Adviser/Scientist at WHO SEARO and Director of National Institute of Malaria Research - Delhi, Regional Medical Research Centre, Jabalpur, Desert Medicine Research Centre, Jodhpur, Centre for Research in Medical Entomology, Madurai and Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar; (ii) Dr P Jambulingam, Chair - Vector Biology ICMR and Ex-Director Vector Control Research Centre, Puducherry; (iii) Dr A K Singh, Joint Director (Research), Indian Agricultural Research Institute; (iv) Dr B Nagpal, Scientist (Entomologist) WHO SEARO (South East Asia Region); (v) Dr (Prof) Asutosh Biswas, Department of Medicine, AIIMS, Delhi; and (vi) Representative of Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB-RC).
(3.) The issue of disinsecting of aircraft involves, on the one hand, concerns relating to the need to take steps for preventing the transmission of vector borne diseases. On the other hand, it involves issues pertaining to the health of passengers and crew who may be exposed to insecticides. Hence, we are of the view that the entire matter should be directed to be considered by the above Committee.;