Kerala govt to acquire 25 acres for Endosulfan rehab village

The Kerala government has decided to acquire 25 acres of land at Muliyar gram panchayat in Kasargod to set up rehabilitation village for Endosulfan victims.

The proposed land is owned by Plantation Corporation of Kerala (PCK) and the government would allocate an equal area of land to PCK shortly, said Kerala Agricultural and district-in-charge minister K P Mohanan.

He was chairing a meeting to overview the rehabilitation and remedial measures for Endosulfan victims at Kasargod Collectorate on Saturday.

The meeting also decided to increase the monthly pension of victims by Rs 200 with retrospective effect from last April.

The remaining stock of Endosulfan kept at PCK godowns would be destroyed under the supervision of Agricultural Secretary and other experts.

Also, the minister said that scientists from Kozhikode CWRDM will again inspect the site at Nanganparamba where it has been alleged that Endosulfan was buried.

As many as six new ‘buds schools’ meant for Endo affected children will be opened at Kayyur, Periya, Karaduka, Muliyar, Badiyadka and Kumbadage as government has given technical nod for the same.

Construction of 37 buildings have been completed under Nabard project for Endo victims rehabilitation and the buildings would be handed over to the departments concerned.

The meeting also decided to urge the government to declare Pallikare panchayat as Endo affected. Currently, 11 panchayats come under Endosulfan affected category.

The minister informed the meeting that Rs 3.7 crore were distributed in the second phase of the compensation to the victims, a per the NHRC recommendations.

The government is mulling over regularising those victims who have been employed through employment exchange bureau.

MLAs K Kunhiraman (Uduma), N A Nellikunnu, E Chandrasekharan, Zilla Panchayat President P P Shyamaladevi, District Collector P A Muhammed Sageer, Gram Panchayat presidents and officials concerned were present at the meeting.