Committee asks Kerala govt to constitute a tribunal

A Judicial Committee set up by the Kerala government to settle claims of endosulfan victims, has suggested constitution of a Tribunal to settle all disputes.
The committee with Justice C N Ramachandran Nair (retired) as Chairman submitted its report to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today.
The committee wanted constitution of a tribunal with a serving judicial officer of the rank of a district judge to settle all disputes arising with regard to eligibility for compensation to people affected due to environment and water pollution after spraying of endosulfan pesticide in cashew plantations owned by Plantation Corporation in early 1990.
After the health hazards of spraying of endosulfan came into focus, the Corporation stopped using the pesticide in 2000.

The committee wanted government to constitute a team of doctors comprising specialists from all relevant sectors to examine patients and for certifying eligibility and categorization of claimants for grant of relief by the tribunal.
It recommended setting up an Endosulfan Relief Fund with state funds and through contributions from Centre and Plantation Corporation.

The Committee wanted the government to bring in a law to declare that the award of the Tribunal as final and also provide executive powers for it. A district level agency should be formed to implement the Tribunal order.
It recommended the government to pay a compensation of Rs five lakh to the kin victims besides those permanently bedridden to severe diseases and also those who became mentally retarded.

In the case of partially disabled, the committee recommended a compensation of Rs three lakh.