Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan on Thursday demanded that Central Ministers from Kerala should clarify their stand on banning Endosulfan.
The Chief Minister said that there were six Central Ministers from Kerala including Defence Minister A. K. Antony. Of them, K. V. Thomas had shared Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar’s view in favour of continued use of Endosulfan. However, he expressed regret later following public protests. But the Union Ministry of Agriculture has continued to justify the use of Endosulfan.
Mr. Achuthanandan said that the Central government was turning a blind eye towards the tragedy in Kasargod district.
The Union Ministry has been maintaining that another study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) was needed before the deciding on the ban. However, an earlier study by the ICMR in Kasargod district had shown that the pesticide was dangerous.
India would become the laughing stock at the Stockholm Convention in Geneva if it goes against the ban of endosulfan for the benefit of manufacturers, the Chief Minister said.
He said that Central Ministers from Kerala should press for change in the Central government’s stand, or admit their inability to do so to the people. They should also explain why the Centre was not considering assistance to the compensation and rehabilitation packages submitted by the State for Endosulfan victims.
