Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan will convene a conference of officials on November 18 to review relief measures undertaken by the government for victims of Endosulfan in Kasaragod district.
The conference will review the effectiveness of assistance provided by government to the victims.
Besides welfare pensions for the disabled, the government is providing monthly assistance for bystanders of bed-ridden victims, rice at Rs.2 a kg and medical assistance.
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The meet may also look into the possibility of obtaining compensation for the victims through the establishment of a tribunal.
Solatium
The government is currently providing a solatium of Rs.50,000 to the relatives of the dead.
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It has, however, provided Rs.5 lakh each to the victims of recent liquor tragedy in Malappuram district.
The case of Endosulfan victims is considered a bigger tragedy. The conference will be attended by officials of the Health Department and the State Council for Science, Technology and Environment.
The Kasaragod Collector and members of the district panchayat are also likely to be invited to the meeting.
The Council is currently preparing a report on the environment in the affected villages.
Assessment
For this, it is assessing the Endosulfan residues still present in soil, sediments and human blood and the state of biodiversity. Besides, the economic, social and environmental impact of the pesticide is also being looked into.
Delay in report
Though the work was proposed to be completed by last month, the assessment is getting delayed. The results of analysis of sediments and other samples collected in August are likely to be received only by December. The report may be delayed further.