The Social Welfare Department will implement a programme for self-employment of caregivers of endosulfan victims, Minister for Panchayat and Social Welfare M.K. Muneer said on Sunday.
The Minister told The Hindu that interest-free loans would be given to the caregivers, who are often a family member, to take up self-employment ventures that could be pursued while taking care of the victims at home. When required, assistance would also be given to carers from outside the family.
Survey taken up
Dr. Muneer said a socio-economic survey towards improving the victims' rehabilitation had commenced. The study design had been prepared in consultation with experts as part of the 100 Days' Action Plan of the department. The survey was taken up in view of complaints that some victims had been excluded from the beneficiary lists. It would be supplemental to the one undertaken by the Health Department.
He said that establishment of a rehabilitation centre for victims needing life-long institutional care was under consideration. An artificial limb centre was also proposed to be established in Kasaragod district.
Buses for Buds schools
The department had allotted 22 buses to Buds schools for differently abled children in the State and six of them had been given to schools in Kasaragod district where victims of endosulfan studied. Educational assistance was being given to children of families of endosulfan victims, even if they themselves were not affected by the pesticide.
While reviewing the achievements under the Action Plan last week, the Minister had said that 104 children from endosulfan-affected families in Buds schools were getting educational benefits. Besides, 1,476 children in primary and upper primary classes and 943 students in high school and higher secondary schools received assistance of Rs.1000 and Rs.2000 respectively.
Of the 20 new Buds schools proposed across the State, seven had been granted registration, and seven more would get registration soon. Twenty-six applications were under consideration.
Asraya Scheme
Of the programmes proposed as part of the Chief Minister's Plan, the Asrya Scheme for the infirm and the destitute, proposed to be extended to all panchayats in the State, had been started in 75 panchayats. It remained to be implemented in 49 panchayats.
Application of 8,088 caretakers for financial aid under the Asa Kiran programme had been processed against 10,000 proposed. Disability certificates had been issued to applicants in 30 municipalities and 87 blocks. Schedule had been prepared for 117 camps in eight districts.
