Endoslufan: Govt removes MD of state owned plantation

The Government acted swift in the matter as the affidavit filed yesterday came as a deep embarrassment to the ruling LDF at a time when the government had been fast implementing relief measures for the affected families.

Confirming the shifting of PCK Managing Director N K Manoj from the post, state Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran told a press meet that the official himself had expressed his wish to step down as his action contradicted the government stance on the vexed issue.
The opposition parties came out in protests over the affidavit in many parts of the state.

In the affidavit, Manoj said PCK was not liable to pay any compensation to endosulfan victims as it did not involve any illegal activity and violated rules reagarding the use of the pesticide.

It said the aerial-spraying of the pesticide in cashew estates of TCK was taken as advised by experts bodies including Kerala Agricultural university.

Coporation also claimed that it had not done any illegal activity and not violated any rules regarding the use of the pesticide.