Endosulfan: HC notice to State, Centre

The Karnataka High Court on Friday ordered issue of notices to the State and Union Governments in connection with a suo motu petition to end endosulfan menace in Dakshina Kannada district.

Treating a letter to Chief Justice by Justice K L Manjunath on the harmful effects of endosulfan, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice B V Nagarathna has ordered notice to Centre, State Department of Forest Ecology and Environment, Secretary, Health and family Welfare, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and deputy commissioners of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

Justice Manjunath, in his letter dated October 3, 2012, has requested the Chief Justice to treat his letter as a writ petition.

Mentally retarded

He had stated that endosulfan, used as pesticide and insecticide by cashew growers in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, has not only affected physical structure, but has also rendered people mentally retarded.

Mentioning that endosulfan is banned across the globe, as well as  in Karnataka, Justice Manjunath has expressed his concern over the developments in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Sullia, Puttur, Belthangdy Kundapur and Karkala, where people have become disabled.
Justice Manjunath in his letter, has said that the State has failed to take steps to provide medical facilities and rehabilitate them.