The Hindu : Front Page : Government hikes pension for Endosulfan victims

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Wednesday, Dec 01, 2010
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Government hikes pension for Endosulfan victims

Special Correspondent

Asian Games medal winners to be given cash incentive
Recognition for 41 unaided schools in Malabar region

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet on Tuesday decided to raise the pension paid to Endosulfan victims who are unable to perform any form of wage labour from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 a month.

Briefing reporters after the weekly Cabinet meeting here on Tuesday, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said the other Endosulfan victims would be paid Rs.1,000 as pension. The pension would be made available to the victims through the Social Security Mission under the Social Welfare Department. They would also be given free rations, he said.

The Chief Minister said the Cabinet decided to acknowledge the performance by Kerala athletes in the just-concluded Asian Games by giving them cash incentives. The gold winners will get Rs.10 lakh, silver medal winners, Rs.7.5 lakh and bronze medal winners, Rs.5 lakh.

Taking into consideration the educational backwardness among the Muslim population in north Kerala, the Cabinet decided to give recognition to 41 unaided higher secondary schools in the Malabar region. It was also decided to set up a gas-based thermal power station at Cheemeni in Kasaragod district, Mr. Achuthanandan said.

Replying to questions, Mr. Achuthanandan said there was no truth in the reports that the government had accorded sanction for the Sky City project. The government was yet to take a decision in the matter and the process was still on.

The government was taking steps to rectify the ‘wrong observations' made by the High Court on the subject, he said and added that steps reportedly taken by the Principal Secretary (Industries) on the subject were based on his personal viewpoint.

On the Smart City project, the Chief Minister said that the Cabinet decided to send one more letter to the Gulf-based promoters Tecom on the subject and added that the company's allegation that the government had committed breach of promise on provision of free-hold land to it was baseless.

Mr. Achuthanandan disclosed that private banks had also been included in the consortium formed to mobilise resources for the proposed Vizhinjam Container Trans-shipment Terminal.

Asked why the proposal to start daily draws of the Kerala Lottery had not been implemented, Mr. Achuthanandan said the decision on revamping the lottery draw system could not be implemented on account of the ongoing cases.

On the communication sent to the Centre seeking a CBI investigation into the lottery scam, Mr. Achuthanandan said the State government was hopeful that the Centre would appreciate the State's stand that the lottery agents were indulging in foul play and agree to the probe.

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