Ruling out the adoption of Kerala model for the rehabilitation of endosulfan victims in three districts of Karnataka, Health Minister Arvind Limbavali said on Wednesday that the state government was working out a package which would be more beneficial to victims.
The Kerala government has agreed to give Rs 3 lakh of the Rs 5 lakh suggested by the National Human Rights Commission in two installments of Rs 1.5 lakh each.
The government order states that the remaining amount will be kept as a deposit, from which Rs 2,000 will be given as monthly assistance for five years. The Rs 2 lakh deposit will be given to the families later. Replying to MLA L A Ravisubramanya during question hour, the Minister said the survey of endosulfan victims has been completed in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts and was underway in Uttara Kannada district. According to the survey, there are 1907 victims in Dakshina Kannada, 1,703 in Udupi and 383 in Uttara Kannada districts.
“A PHC at Kokkada village has been upgraded as Community Health Centre (CHC) with 30 beds. The victims were being a monthly pension of Rs 3,000,” he added. Limbavali said three government departments were conducting a joint survey and then would take a call on opening few more day care centres. “The Kerala model is only a temporary relief but Karnataka is interested in a special package which would really help the victims. I have personally visited the places and seen the condition of the victims,” he added.