<span style="color: #222222;">Concerned over increasing cases of affliction of new diseases in Assam, the State Government is planning to write to the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) for a study on impact of use of pesticides and fertilizers in food items in the health indices. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Talking to newspersons in Guwahati , Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the use of pesticides in crops, especially in lower and central Assam parts, could be a probable cause .</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said  that commercial production of vegetables is carried out in lower and central Assam and the farmers themselves may not be aware of the harmful effects of the fertilizers and pesticides they are using.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Minister also announced the launch of Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme in the state from 14th of this month, in Private-Public Partnership mode with Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, Chennai. The free dialysis facility will be available in 18 locations in Assam.</span><br />''  <br />