Date:05/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/05/stories/2008080552950300.htm

Kerala

Plea for aid in Endosulfan deaths

Staff Reporter

State-appointed cell raises the demand

178 families have been given compensation so far
308 families are yet to get the compensation

KASARAGOD: A meeting of the Endosulfan Victims Remediation Cell of the State government held at the collectorate conference hall here on Monday has requested the State government to provide compensation to all families whose nearest of kin died from complications related to the use of Endosulfan.

During the first stage of relief operations, the State government distributed a compensation of Rs.50,000 each to 133 families whose nearest of kin had died from the spraying of Endosulfan in the estates of the Plantation Corporation in the district. A study conducted by the government in the second stage found that another 353 persons had died of Endosulfan related complications. Following this, an additional 45 families were given compensations of Rs.50,000 each.

At present, as many as 308 families whose nearest of kin died from complications which arose from Endosulfan spraying are yet to get compensation.

The remediation cell demanded that they also be granted compensation without delay. The meeting noted that a total of 1,996 persons have been identified in eleven panchayats in the district as victims of Endosulfan spraying who need expert medical aid.

Of these, 63 persons have been given treatment at a medical college at Mangalore. The meeting decided to provide medical aid to the remaining victims also at various government hospitals in the district and medical colleges outside.

The cell will provide aid equipment to 240 persons who were disabled from complications that arose from Endosulfan use.

The cell will also launch a website to bring to the attention of the world the problems being faced by Endosulfan victims and to collect funds for their rehabilitation.