Beltangady: Health Minister Meets Endosulfan Victims, Assures Quick Action
 
Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (PS)
 
Beltangady, Oct 3: "The implementation of the government package meant for endosulfan victims will be based on the result of survey work which is to be completed by October end. A committee headed by the deputy commissioner and the district medical officer will be formed and the survey work will be conducted in endosulfan-affected areas of DK district," said health minister Aravind Limbavali.
 
He was speaking to reporters after visiting the temporary rehabilitation camp for endosulfan victims in Kokkada here on Wednesday October 3.

He said that DC Dr Channappa Gowda has already given a complete picture of the situation to the state government. "There are 510 endosulfan victims in the region. However, a local social activist Shreedhar Gowda has claimed that there are 6,500 victims, and hence the government has decided to conduct a survey as to how many victims are actually there in each family and the extent of disability.

"The government is committed to the cause of endosulfan victims and will respond either as per Kerala model or Karnataka," he assured.
 

Permanent rehabilitation center at Alankar
 
Responding to a query, Limbavali said that a 5-acre land has been already earmarked to build a permanent center at Alankar, where all the victims in the district will be rehabilitated. If required more center will be opened in other places too, he added.
 
"Mobile hospital, ambulance service, Ayurveda panchakarma treatment, psychological therapy will be made available to endosulfan victims," he said.
 
He also assured government assistance for self-employment for the family members of the victims.
 

Limbavali feels the pain
 
The minister was welcomed by a girl victim who offered him a flower as a token of gratitude. Another victim told the minister that he makes incense sticks and earns Rs 20. Looking at the victims among whom some were suffering from speech disability and some others from physically disability, Limbavali said that the government will not delay in improving the lives of endosulfan victims.

Shreedhar Gowda, who is visually impaired and who has been fighting for the cause of endosulfan victims, said that government experts should be included in the committee while carrying out the survey. Women doctors and workers should be made use of to check sexual problems faced by the victims, he urged.
 
DC Dr N S Channappa Gowda, BJP leader Prathap Sinha Nayak, Poovaje Kushalappa Gowda among others were present.