Thiruvananthapuram: The Endosulfan victims and their mothers on Sunday started an indefinite strike in front of Cliff House - official residence of Chief Minister Ommen Chandy. They are demanding that the government should keep their promise of financial assistance and medical aid to them.
The victims who are on strike under the aegis of the 'Endosulfan Peeditha Janakeeya Munnani' includes blind, completely bedridden, mentally challenged people and also those with Physical deformities.
Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan visited the victims who are on strike. An adjournment motion too was moved in the legislative assembly to which Chief Minister replied that the second installment of financial aid will be provided to victims soon. The victims are from Kasargode district who are suffering due to the earlier areal spray of chemical pesticide Endosulfan in cashew plantations.
About 5,500 victims were listed as Endosulfan victims in the state. The National Human Rights commission had asked the government to provide Rs 5 lakh to the families of the dead, those bedridden and cannot move without another persons support and Rs three lakhs to others. Though the state government has only provided the first installment of about Rs 1.5 lakh to one lakh to about 2,295 victims.
Though earlier assistance was given to victims in 27 Panchayats and three municipalities but it has been reduced to 11 Panchayats. Their demand is that financial and medical assistance should be provided to all victims and not on Panchayat basis. They also demanded that the Justice Ramachandran Committee report should not be implemented.
Comments
0 comment