Thiruvananthapuram: A group of women led by Social Activist Daya Bai gathered in front of the Secretariat and demanded speedy disbursal of compensation and implementation of the rehabilitation package to the victims of endosulfan-affected children.
The social activist said that she was disturbed that the government had not yet completed the disbursal of the compensation to the victims.
A compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of people who died following exposure to the pesticide and those who became bed-ridden or mentally challenged was directed by the Supreme Court in 2017. The apex court had also directed the Kerala government to disburse compensation and rehabilitation package for the victims within three months.
Families from northernmost district of Kasaragod and south of Kerala gathered here and said they would not return without their demands being met. The victims had held several rounds of rallies from 2012 to 2018 under People’s Movement for Endosulfan Victims seeking the attention of the government. Last year, a protest was held in front of the secretariat by the victims’ families.
The Supreme Court in 2011 banned the production and distribution of Endosulfan, an off-patent organochlorine insecticide and acaricide, which was widely used on crops like cashew, cotton, tea, paddy, fruits. The spraying of the insecticide began in the late 1970s and continued for over 20 years.
The diseases caused by endosulfan have been affected generations over the years- children are born with congenital defects. People in 11 panchayats and Kanjagad Municipality have been affected by the spraying in the district. The victims are also battling with diseases like cancer, physical and mental disabilities for years and some for decades.