Endosulfan: Govt to compensate victims, 9-day agitation ends

The nine-day long agitation by a group of Endosulfan affected children and their mothers here demanding immediate disbursal of compensation to them, ended today with government agreeing to most of their demands.
The protesters from Kasaragod, the northernmost region of Kerala, had come here to stage a sit-in in front of the secretariat to press the government to agree to their demands, including compensation and writing off their loans.
An agreement with regard to the compensation and rehabilitation package was arrived at a meeting in which Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, MLAs of the affected region and doctors, besides leaders of the action council of the agitation, participated.

Later briefing reporters, Chandy said a maximum compensation of up to Rs 3 lakh will be given to the affected and steps would be taken to write off the loans of the families of victims by February 8.
The affected persons will be categorised in three sections and a compensation of up to Rs 3 lakh will be provided, he said. A three-member committee has been formed to identify the beneficiaries to be included in the list, he said.
The compensation amount will be given to not only those who were disabled but also those suffering from various diseases in the affected regions.

Five medical camps will be held at the end of this month and government doctors working in the affected areas will be given an additional Rs 20,000 per month, the chief minister said. This was in view of complaints that doctors were reluctant to work in the region.

A new list incorporating the names of 610 more persons affected by Endosulfan will be added to the existing list.
Over 80 Endosulfan affected children and their mothers had participated in the sit-in.
As Achuthanandan announced that the strike was being called off following the government's decision.