Kasaragod declared organic farming district

Responding to a submission by N A Nellikkunnu (IUML) in the Assembly, Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan said the pesticide had been totally banned and the government would ensure that it was not being used anywhere in the state.

He said after assuming power, the UDF government had taken several measures to help endosulfan victims. Compensation amount for those affected by endosulfan had been raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh, he said.

The government had sanctioned Rs 1.25 crore for rehabilitation of victims and development of hospitals in the region. A soil test was conducted to ascertain whether residue of the pesticide was still there, the result of which was negative, he said.

The relief amount being given to kin of victims and financial assistance for students from endosulfan-hit families had also been raised, he said.

The state Plantation Corporation had donated Rs five crore for rehabilitation of endosulfan victims. It had been decided to reserve 25 per cent of new jobs in the Corporation to the kin of endosulfan victims, the minister said.