Chandy promises help to endosulfan victims

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday promised all help to endosulfan victims who have not got benefits from different schemes implemented by the government.

Speaking after inaugurating the Mass Contact Programme in the district at municipal stadium here, he said problems of endosulfan pesticide did not confine to this district alone.

Though Central and State Governments had implemented many schemes for the victims, those deserving were not getting the much needed help. “Government is taking steps to give gram sabhas the right to find the people who deserve help,” he added.

A medical college hospital was sanctioned to the district considering the health problems faced by people in the district. Construction work of the College would be inaugurated on Saturday and work would be completed fast, he said.

Hundreds of persons suffered from various types of health problem due to environment and water pollution following aerial spraying of endosulfan in cashew plantations in the district in the 1990s. The State government has announced various compensation packages, including pension to victims.

Referring to the Jana Sambarka Paripadi, he said it was not just the distribution of assistance that was taking place in JSP. “It is the beginning to bring changes in administration to render the needed help for the people. The outdated rules and laws are posing problems to resolve problems of people. Officials cannot be blamed for the same,” he said.

Chief Minister also sanctioned relief to various persons to a tune of Rs.60 lakhs in the early hours of the programme that would continue for the whole day.

State Minster K.P. Mohanan, MLAs and top government officials were present.