Endosulfan victims and their family members will be carrying out a protest in Puttur on Tuesday demanding, among others, release of stipend for the last few months. They are also demanding clarity on the scheme issuing free bus passes for the victims and the person accompanying them to the hospital for treatment.
Sridhar Gowda, convenor of Endo Virodhi Horata Samiti, said endosulfan victims in the district were not receiving the stipend of Rs. 1, 800 from the Health and Family Welfare Department for the last four months. This amount is a part of the total of Rs. 3,000 that the 3,200 identified endosulfan victims are receiving. The remaining Rs. 1,200 was being paid by the Revenue Department.
Mr. Gowda said delay in payment of Rs. 1,800 has caused hardship to victims, some of whom are forced to borrow money to manage their monthly treatment. The authorities were only promising early release of stipend. Mr. Gowda said the demand for payment of Rs. 3,000 from the Revenue Department had not been acted upon.
Mr. Gowda said the KSRTC officials were not considering smart cards issued for the endosulfan victims but were asking for copies of the order granting stipend to issue free bus passes.
Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader said the unpaid stipend would be cleared in the next few days. He said the file for the release was pending with the Finance Department. “I have followed it up. The officials responsible for the delay have been warned,” he said.
