Kerala govt approves Rs 14.4 crore aid for endosulfan victims in Kasaragod
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Thiruvananthapuram: The V.D. Satheesan-led UDF government in Kerala has sanctioned Rs 14.40 crore for the continuation of the ‘Snehasanthwanam’ comprehensive rehabilitation and welfare package for endosulfan victims in Kasaragod for 2026-27.
The allocation, approved through the Social Justice Department under the state budget, is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted financial assistance to existing beneficiaries, extending support to newly identified victims and strengthening rehabilitation and educational facilities in the affected region.
The government order was issued on Saturday by the office of Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.
A major portion of the allocation will go directly to affected families. Rs 9.84 crore has been earmarked as monthly relief for 5,208 existing beneficiaries from April 2026 to March 2027. Another Rs 2.64 crore has been set aside for around 1,000 new beneficiaries expected to be included in the relief list.
The government has also allocated Rs 64.76 lakh under the ‘Ashwasakiranam’ scheme to provide monthly financial assistance to 771 caregivers looking after Endosulfan-affected persons.
Support for children and rehabilitation facilities also forms part of the package. Rs 10.05 lakh has been sanctioned as educational assistance for 400 children during the 2026-27 academic year.
A further Rs 1.17 crore will be spent on upgrading infrastructure and services at 10 model child rehabilitation centres in the affected areas.
Endosulfan, a pesticide extensively sprayed aerially over cashew plantations in Kasaragod for decades, has been linked to serious health and developmental problems among residents in the affected areas.
The long-running campaign by victims and their families has led to compensation, rehabilitation and welfare measures. However, they have continued to demand sustained financial assistance, healthcare and rehabilitation.
The latest sanction assumes significance against this backdrop, with the government seeking to ensure continuity of support to vulnerable families while bringing additional eligible beneficiaries into the welfare net.
With more than Rs 14 crore earmarked for monthly assistance to existing and prospective beneficiaries, the government said the allocation would provide financial stability to affected families and reaffirm its commitment to the long-standing rehabilitation needs of the Endosulfan-affected community.
With IANS inputs