Endosulfan victims to get identification

Endosulfan victims to get identification

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 26, 2016: The State government has resumed the process of identifying endosulfan victims, who were so far not included in the list. The government had stopped the process in March last year.   Announcing this at a meeting chaired by DK DC Adoor.B. Ibrahim on  Feb 25, Thursday, District Health Officer Ramakrishna Rao said, two days ago that the State government had issued orders to allow the department to conduct medical tests of people who have not been recognised as victims of endosulfan. Such persons can visit the nearest primary health centre. The medical officer will examine the patients and then refer them to Wenlock District Hospital, where necessary tests will be done twice every month.

As many as 3,618 persons have so far been recognised as victims of endosulfan in the district. Of this, 2,998 victims, including 400 who were identified in March 2015, are receiving a stipend of Rs. 1,200 (for disability between 25 and 60 per cent) and Rs. 3,000 (for those whose disability is more than 60 per cent) per month.

Dr. Rao said all the 2,998 victims have been receiving stipend regularly since January and there was no delay. He said that the proposal has been sent to the State government for release of arrears of stipend for the 400 victims between January 2015 and December 2015. These 400 victims have been regularly getting the stipend since January 2016, he said.

At this point, an official from District Treasury, which is releasing the stipend, said revenue officials from Belthangady have not updated details regarding 36 victims so far, which has made it difficult to send stipends every month to their bank accounts. Mr. Ibrahim directed Belthangady Tahsildar to resolve the issue in a few days.