Centre launches health scheme for endosulfan victims

The Union government has come up with a special scheme to ensure medical aid for endosulfan victims in the State, Assistant Solicitor General (ASG) Kalyan Basavaraj informed the High Court on Monday.

During the hearing of a suo motu petition on the plight of endosulfan victims, the ASG submitted that the scheme titled “Nirbhaya” enables the endosulfan victims to avail themselves of medical benefit to the tune of Rs one lakh. He further told the Court that the deputy commissioners of the three districts affected by the dreaded pesticide have been asked to identify the victims. “All the victims have to do is to register themselves under this scheme by paying Rs 250,” Basavaraj said.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice B V Nagarathna directed the Union and State government to work in coordination so that the benefits of the new scheme reach the victims. It also suggested the State government to explore the possibilities of bearing the cost of registration.