The Hindu : Front Page : Relief package for Endosulfan victims

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Saturday, Aug 12, 2006

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Relief package for Endosulfan victims

Staff Reporter

Chief Minister announces relief measures in Kasaragod

Kasaragod: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has announced a relief package of Rs.50 lakhs for the Endosulfan victims and Rs.50,000 each for the kin of those who died due to the effects of the pesticide. The Government will also take care of the treatment of the remaining patients. The district panchayat has also set apart Rs.5 lakhs for the relief work.

Announcing these at a function here on Friday, the Chief Minister said the Agriculture and Revenue departments also would draw up some relief measures shortly.

He received a primary list of victims, which he had demanded last month. The list includes the name, address and panchayat of 135 persons who have died in the district due to various illnesses caused by the pesticide.

Mr. Achuthanandan said that he would press the Centre for a permanent ban on Endosulfan in the State.

Recalling his visit to the district as the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Achuthanandan said two doctors and some activists had kept him informed about the condition of the people. He said precautions were not taken while using the pesticide and that too was a cause for today's state of things. He also remembered how the former Agriculture Minister had admitted that the plantations could use pesticide of lesser potency. But the situation remained unchanged and the bribery by the pesticide company kept its interests afloat, he said.

Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran expressed regret for his statement in the Assembly which did not reflect the full seriousness of the Endosulfan problem in Kasaragod. He said that he was willing to extend all possible help that his department could provide for the affected people.

He also said that those using Endosulfan would be punished under law. Earlier, when the Chief Minister went to Kumbala to inaugurate the platinum jubilee memorial building of Senior Basic Higher Secondary School, Muslim League workers tried to wave black flag. Five persons were arrested in this connection.

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