Solve problems of endosulfan victims at the earliest: Minister Angara
Udupi, Sept 03, 2022: District in-charge Minister S Angara directed the officials to take measures to solve the problems of the endosulfan victims in the district on a priority basis.
He was speaking after presiding over the district endosulfan committee meeting at the DC’s office here today.
The minister asked the officials to approve the list of 110 newly identified endosulfan victims since March 2019 and provide all facilities to them. He instructed the food department officials to get a list of the victims and distribute Antyodaya cards to them.
“People who were residing in the place where endosulfan chemical was sprayed might have settled in other places over the years. If they or their children develop any disability or endosulfan-related defects they should be provided facilities. SOP should be formed for this,” the Minister said.
To provide a solution to the Endorsulfan victims at the earliest, Angara directed the officials to include it as a subject in the KDP meeting.
Discussions were held on setting up a permanent rehabilitation Centre for Endosulfan affected at Senapura in Kundapur and also on starting a separate daycare center for them in the district.
From 1980-81 to 2000-01, endosulfan was sprayed in 43 villages including 29 in Kundapur, 5 in Udupi, and 9 in Karkala Taluks. So far 28 screening camps have been conducted in the villages and a total of 1,705 endosulfans have been identified so far. Of this 130 died and 1575 are listed as endosulfan affected. Various facilities including monthly ration, medical facilities, equipment, and free bus are being provided.
Power, Kannada and Culture Minister V Sunil Kumar, MLAs Haladi Srinivas Shetty, Raghupathi Bhat, Lalaji R Mendon, DC Kurma Rao M, SP Hakay Akshay Machindra, Zilla Panchayat CEO Prasanna, Kundapur DFO Ashish Reddy, District Legal Services Authority Member Secretary Sharmila, Additional Deputy Commissioner Veena B. Dr. N., Human Rights Foundation chief Ravindranath Shanbhag, implementing officers of health department and other departments, social workers and others were present.
