ENDOSULFANPACKAGE FOR ENDOSULFAN VICTIMS Kerala chief minister on Tuesday 22nd,November,2010 ,announced a comprehensive package for relief and remediation of victims of the Endosulfan pesticide in the state.The package includes higher pensions,special education,housing,drinking water supply, rehabilitation,training and employment. Chief Minister made the announcement after a conference of officials,people's representatives and non-governmental organisations convened to discuss the plight of the victims and review the relief measures taken so far. The cabinet would decide on an immediate moratorium on recovery of loans and further measures. The government had identified the next kin of 486 persons whose deaths hd been caused by Endosulfan, for payment of a solatium of Rs 50,000 each. Action would also be taken to provide land for the landless and house for the home less. ACTION COMMITTEE FOR PESTICIDE- FREE KASARAGOD The Endosulfan action Committee, an umbrella organisation of 12 organisations working for relief and remediation of Endosulfan victims in Kasaragod district has urged the government to provide Rs 10 lakh each to relatives of the deceased and declare the border district as pesticide free. The organisation demand compensation of Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5000 as family pension to the kin of the deceaced. The organisation has come out against the socio- economic and health survey,which was carried out in 11 panchayats in 48 hours. The committee said there are 8000-9000 victims. The plantation corporation,which holds 4,696 hectares of land,one third of the district, had been spraying pesticide on its land for over 24 hours. KERALA STATE SEEK CENTRE GOVERNMENT RS 100 CRORE RELIEF FOR ENDOSULFAN VICTIMS The Kerala cabinet on Wednesday decided to provide free ration to the victims of Endosulfan in the state and approach the centre for assistance to form a special relief fund for them. Chief minister said Rs 100 crore would be sought as urgent assistance from the centre. An all- party delegation would go to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and request a ban on the manufacture and use of Endosulfan in the country. ENDOSULFAN- AN EFFECTIVE PESTICIDE Agriculture scientist M.S Swaminathan has its decision to ban the use of Endosulfan across the state. Dr Swaminathan said there was no need for any new commission to study the health impact ofthe use of Endosulfan. He said that Endosulfan was an effective pesticide. Prof. John Kurakar