Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Apr 16: The endosulfan victims and various organizations will hold a protest infront of DC office to condemn government harassment on endosulfan-affected people on April 27 in the city. This was disclosed at a press meet held at the press club here on April 16.

Addressing the press meet president of Endosulfan Virodhi Horata Samiti Kokkada, Sridhar Gowda said," The state government which is liberal when it comes to hiking salaries and allowances of people's representatives and ministers, lose power when it comes to sanctioning monthly pensions to endosulfan victims who belong to weaker sections and unorganized sector."

"The government has been harassing the endosulfan-affected people by giving lame excuses and different reasons. It has withheld the pension these people are eligible for, without any reason. After promising to provide free food, it has cheated them. This is tantamount to contempt of court. Therefore a protest with the support of various organizations and parties will be held in front of the office of the deputy commissioner on April 27."

"No response to fight for justice by endosulfan-affected people. The health and revenue departments are engaged in transferring responsibilities to one another. Although the deputy commissioner had instructed the health department to stay back in Bengaluru for ten days in case of need to see that pension is sanctioned to these distressed people, the health department did not care to heed to this instruction. The deputy commissioner has claimed in the presence of the media that nutritious food was being provided to endosulfan-affected people holding BPL cards. This was a false and misleading statement. We demand that the DC comes out with details of such distribution."

Experts say that effects of endosulfan will last for generations. On March 31, a medical camp had been held and many were asked to come to the district hospital. When the affected arrived, no tests were conducted. As such, many persons had been deprived of legitimate benefits. Hence medical camps should be conducted at the district hospital at least once in 15 days." he ordered.