JOIN USZP members unhappy with style of endosulfan survey
The Zilla Panchayat members discussed in length on the survey conducted to identify endosulfan victims in Udupi district, here at the ZP monthly meeting on Tuesday.
Replying to a query raised by member Babu Shetty, DHO Dr Ramachandra Bairy said there is practical problem in identifying the victims. The district health department had conducted survey in the district following the list issued by the Karnataka Cashew Development Board (KCDB) on the aerial spray.
He said that there was no benchmark and no scientific parameter and identification process. Following the High Court direction, the survey is held in those areas where the aerial spray of endosulfan was taken up by the KCDB. The health department is assigned with the responsibility of rehabilitation. He said camps were held in 45 villages. Of which, 26 camps were held in Kundapur as majority of the affected areas are in Kundapur taluk. While 15 camps were conducted in Udupi and nine camps were held in Karkala respectively. The monthly pension for the victims who are affected with more than 60 per cent of the disability is Rs 3,000. Those who have been affected with 25 to 60 per cent of disability will be paid Rs 1,500 per month.
There are 310 endosulfan victims suffering from above 60 per cent disability in Kundapur taluk. The monthly honorarium will be paid from March 1.
However, members expressed displeasure over the way survey was conducted and demanded that the health department should conduct re survey to ensure that all the affected areas are covered.
Member Ananth Muwadi said the areas like Trasi is also affected, however the list given by the KCDB has not mentioned Trasi. The survey should be conducted in the entire district.
The DHO said that the department needs at least four months to complete the survey of the entire district.
Kasturirangan report
ZP members raised concern over Kasturirangan report on conservation of Western Ghats.
Reacting to it, the official said that the issue on implementation of the recommendations of the report is being referred to the Cabinet sub-committee. Farmers need not worry as there is no objection to carry out cultivation in the farm land in the areas declared as eco sensitive zone. Activities like stone quarry, mining and high-rise buildings are banned in the eco sensitive zone.
The forest official said that the village comprising more than 50 per cent forest cover coming under Western Ghats jurisdiction is considered. Survey is being carried out to identify the eco-sensitive zone, reserve forest area and the buffer zone. Members also raised objections for not creating awareness among the people who are affected with CRZ norms.
Member Katpadi Shankar Poojary alleged that Gram Sabhas are not held to discuss the issue. Member Ganapathy Sriyan said that 58 meetings were held in Kundapur taluk and around 25 amendments were recommended. However, the result is nil. The survey is unscientific.
The official said 100 Gram Panchayats come under CRZ in Udupi district. Thirty eight Gram Panchayats are situated on the shores of the sea and 62 Gram Panchayats are on the river side.
Retorting to another query DDPI Nagendra Madhyastha said that two schools, Christ School in Manipal and Mount Rosario School in Santhekatte have approached High Court demanding relaxation from the RTE Act, which makes it mandatory to reserve 25 per cent of seats for the underprivileged.