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No end in sight to endosulphan victims for compensation
M.RAJASEKHARA PANICKER | New Delhi, January 20, 2012 20:50
Tags : Bhopal gas tragedy | Endosulphan | PCK | tragedy | compensation |
Tags : Bhopal gas tragedy | Endosulphan | PCK | tragedy | compensation |
It seems there is no end to the saga of agony for the victims of endosulphan ever since the catastrophe was reported from Kasargod district in 2001. Like the victims of Bhopal tragedy, endosulphan victims also were knocking at all possible doors to redress their grievances. Whatever pittance they got was inadequate. Their hope for a better compensation by way of an order by the National Human Rights Commission is getting delayed on one pretext or the other.
The latest setback to their hopes has come from the state-owned Plantation Corporation of Kerala (PCK). It is reported that the Health and Planning Department had demanded the PCK to pay Rs 120.43 crores as compensation to the victims.
The PCK has to pay Rs 54.08 crore, ie., Rs 5 lakh each to the victims by March 31. As per a letter sent to PCK by Health Secretary Rajiv Sadanandan, the PCK has to remit another Rs 66.35 crore in the bank to pay a monthly pension of Rs 2000 each to the patients.
It is reported that PCK chairman Varghese George said the PCK director board has decided to appeal to the government to make some budget provisions to pay the compensation as the PCK has no adequate funds to pay the entire compensation.
Financial crisis in PCK will leave around 7,000 workers in the lurch, the PCK officials say. PCK officials are of the opinion that the rights panel had asked the government to pay the compensation and not to the PCK.
Meanwhile, the reported attempt of the Plantation Corporation Samrakshana Samithy is moving High Court against the compensation demand has further complicated the situation. Now the court had served notices to the opposite parties. The Samrakshana Samithy has taken a stand that the government has no right to demand compensation. The Samithy is also planning to launch an agitation against the decision.
Social activist C.R.Neelakandan contests the PCK stand. "The PCK has done this to boost its profit and it has to take the responsibility of its consequences. If PCK refuses to pay the amount, the government should sell the assets of PCK and realise the amount" he told TSI.
The petition of the Pesticide and Formulators Association is pending in the High Court against the order.
The endosulphan victims number about 6,000 spread in 11 villages, Kayyur-Cheemeni, Ajanur, Pullur-Periya, Kallar, Panathady, Muliyar, Karadka, Kumbadje, Badiadka, Bellur and Enmakaje. Official reports put the death toll since 1995 between 500 and 600. Unofficial reports put the figure in thousands.
In November 2011, the National Human Rights Commission has cautioned Kerala Government that it will be forced to move Supreme Court if the government does not pay adequate compensation.
Though the State Government had sought the Central assistance, the Centre has not taken a favourable stand.
As of now, one can only hope that these poor victims should not be further destined to go from pillar to post to get their genuine grievances met.
Issue Dated: Feb 5, 2017
