The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has asked the State government to extend the compensation paid to the victims of Endosulfan in Kasargod to other districts like Palakkad and Idukki where the killer pesticide was used in the farms.
In a statement here on Tuesday, AIKS State president V. Chamunni said Endosulfan was still being used in mango farms in Muthalamada. He said many children had been afflicted with undiagnosed diseases. In Kasaragod district, 175 people had succumbed to illnesses suspected to be caused due to aerial spraying of the pesticide in cashew plantations. Many had become physically challenged.
Centre flayed
The statement criticised the stand of the Union government. It accused Union Minister of State for Agriculture K.V. Thomas and Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh of helping the pesticide companies by opposing the demand of Kerala to ban the killer pesticide.
Mr. Chamunni said the National Institute of Occupational Health had already recommended a ban on pesticides like Endosulfan.
