Home Insect Control Association (HICA), urges retailers, and wholesalers in Ahmedabad to not stock or sell such illegal products amid govt action
Bilkul Bazaar
Ahmedabad | 27 Feb 2026
In a strict enforcement drive against illegal mosquito repellent incense sticks (agarbatti), the Maharashtra Department of Agriculture has conducted multiple raids on shops selling illegal mosquito agarbatti ‘Comfort’. A major raid was carried out in Kolhapur at Manoj Novelties, located at Gandhinagar where authorities seized large quantities of ‘Comfort’ mosquito agarbatti.
In a parallel operation, officials conducted raids in Nanded, seizing similar illegal mosquito repellent agarbatti. The first raid was carried out at a shop named R K Suratwala, located in Guru Nanak Market, Khadakpura, where 1,056 pouches of Comfort incense sticks were seized. In the second raid, Parsewar Provision Stores, located near Annabhaue Sathe Chowk, was raided, and 10 boxes of Comfort incense sticks were seized.
The enforcement action follows a recent statewide directive issued by the Maharashtra Department of Agriculture to curb the sale of mosquito agarbatti containing unapproved and illegal insecticide. In December 2025, the department issued a circular instructing all Insecticide Inspectors across Maharashtra to take immediate action under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971 against retailers, wholesalers, and shopkeepers found selling illegal mosquito agarbatti such as ‘Comfort’ and ‘Sleepwell’.
The Home Insect Control Association (HICA), a non-profit industry body that promotes the safe and responsible use of household insecticides in India, has welcomed the continued enforcement action by the Maharashtra government. HICA has strongly urged traders, retailers, and wholesalers to refrain from stocking or selling illegal mosquito repellent agarbatti and sell only government registered agarbattis.
Commenting on the ongoing action, Jayant Deshpande, Honorary Secretary, Home Insect Control Association (HICA), said, “We thank and appreciate the Maharashtra Government for the continued enforcement action in the State against illegal mosquito repellent agarbatti like Comfort in view of consumer interest. The misuse of illegal and unapproved insecticide like Dimefluthrin in incense repellent formats is extremely concerning and poses potential risk to public. Such products are deliberately sold to the general public without regulatory approval and mislead consumers into believing they are safe. This enforcement is in the interest of people who unknowingly buy and use illegal and unregistered mosquito agarbattis. The government action sends a clear message that illegal manufacturers and those enabling their distribution will not be tolerated. We urge sustained action across states and advise consumers to purchase only mosquito repellents that are registered and mentions a valid registration number on pack”
Comfort mosquito repellent agarbatti, is available across Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Delhi. In January this year, the Maharashtra Department of Agriculture raided the production unit of manufacturer, Dhoop Chaon in Mumbai and seized samples of ‘Comfort’ incense sticks for testing.
Laboratory analysis revealed the presence of Dimefluthrin, an illegal insecticide not yet approved for use in mosquito repellent incense sticks. Authorities also found that Dhoop Chaon did not possess the required manufacturing license or approval from the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIBRC), making any production and sale of the mosquito repellent agarbatti illegal under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971. Following the findings, the Maharashtra Department of Agriculture issued a circular instructing all Insecticide Inspectors across Maharashtra to take immediate action against the retailers and wholesalers of ‘Comfort’ and ‘Sleepwell’ mosquito agarbatti in the state.
The Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIBRC), under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, is the statutory authority responsible for approving and registering insecticides before they can be manufactured, imported or sold in India. Approved mosquito repellent products carry a valid registration number on the product label, enabling consumers to verify compliance.
Insecticides such as Dimefluthrin and Meperfluthrin are not yet approved by authorities for use in mosquito repellent incense sticks. Any product using such unapproved formulations violates statutory requirements. Approved mosquito repellents typically undergo a rigorous testing and evaluation process before receiving regulatory clearance. Illegal products such as ‘Comfort’ and ‘Sleepwell’, which lack mandatory approvals, bypass these safeguards and compromise regulatory compliance.
HICA is committed to continue to work closely with regulators and enforcement authorities to support action against illegal products and to raise consumer awareness on identifying safe and compliant household insect control solutions.