State asks Centre to take steps on endosulfan issue

Thiruvananthapuram: The State government Tuesday asked Centre to take steps to ensure compensation to endosulfan victims from the manufactures of the pesticide.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan while replying in the assembly during question hour said the state had already approached the Centre to implement the supreme court order for recovering the compensation from the endosulfan manufactures.

State would consider other steps to get the compensation from the company if Centre fails to take necessary action in this regard, he said.

An amount of Rs 56.76 crore has been sanctioned from CM's relief fund as the third instalment of relief to those who suffer various health problems as part of the National Human Right Commission order.

Vijayan also said that Centre has not taken a decision on the relief package for endosulfan victims submitted by the state.

Financial assistance was given to people who had suffered various health problems due to environment and water pollution caused after aerial spraying of pesticide endosulfan in cashew farms in Kasargod district in 1990.