Endosulfan victims and their representatives expressed their concern over non-payment of stipend since November 2014. They also expressed their anguish over the absence of necessary medicines at the primary health centres where victims are going for regular check-ups.
These were among the problems aired during the meeting called to review the relief measures for endosulfan victims here on Thursday.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim, who heads the district committee for enforcement of relief measures for endosulfan victims.
Arun Kumar S.B., the officer from the District Health Department coordinating the relief works, said an amount of Rs. 2.75 crore had to paid to 2,602 victims since November, 2014. He said the file related to seeking release of the amount was pending with the Finance Department.
Peer Mohammed said the delay in paying the stipend has made lives of victims and their families pitiable. “They have been forced to borrow money from lenders. With such a long delay (of five months), the victims are losing hope of getting the stipend,” he said. Mr. Ibrahim directed Dr. Kumar to stay put in Bengaluru for the next few days and get the amount released.
Deadline
Ravindranath Shanbhag, an activist, raised concern over the state of persons who have not yet been identified as victims of endosulfan exposure by March 31.
Mr. Shanbhag, who has filed a petition on behalf of the victims before Supreme Court, said there were still many persons from areas where endosulfan has been sprayed who are yet to be identified as victims.
Mr. Shanbhag’s concern was following the denial of specialists from Government Wenlock Hospital from conducting tests to certify a two-year-old child from Mani as an endosulfan victim.
Parents of the girl were asked to come when the child became five years old. District Health Officer Ramakrishna Rao said that the child and other such patients would be identified as victims, but the stipend will be paid only if when the government approves extension of deadline.
Rs. 2.75 crore had to paid to 2,602 victims since November 2014
