Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Jan 10: Dakshina Kannada MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, lamented the fact that the state government headed by Siddaramaiah has failed to come to the rescue of endosulfan victims. "I wish that the government will wake up at least now to the needs of their sufferings, taking cue from the suicide by four people from a family in Kokkada village, and extend all facilities for which they are eligible," he stated.

Kateel was speaking to media persons during his visit to Kokkada on Monday January 9 to pledge solidarity with a family of Babu Gowda from Aladka in Kokkada, of which four members had ended their lives together a few days back. He also expressed his readiness to raise this topic in the parliament if there is a need for the same.

"The then state government led by Yeddyurappa had come forward to set up permanent rehabilitation centre and other facilities for the benefit of endosulfan victims, but disappointingly, the next government has overlooked these victims. Endosulfan victims should be enabled to get treatment at the hospitals of their choice by using their smart cards," he said, supporting this demand of the people suffering from after-affects of endosulfan use.

On this occasion, a local, Sridhar Gowda Kengudelu, who is leading the endosulfan victims trying to get government benefits, felt that these victims may have to choose suicide as the only option if the state government continues to own a feeling of hostility towards them. He said that as a last resort, the victims hope that at least the central government will intervene and vibe to their genuine problems.

Later, zilla panchayat vice president, Kasturi Panja, visited the spot, and took taluk health officer to task for not extending government facilities to these victims. When the health officer claimed that doctors have been visiting the victims confined to beds, the locals said none of the doctors had visited the villages since the last six months. The taluk health officer, Dr Kalamadhu Shetty, had no other option but to fall silent at this snub.

District BJP president, Sanjeeva Matandoor, BJP leaders, Harish Punja, Narayana Gowda, Koragappa Naik andothers were present during Kateel's visit.