Don’t let victims of endosulfan suffer for want of medical aid, the High Court told the state government on Monday.
Amicus curiae Vaishali Hegde submitted the government had not acted on several directions of the court relating to the victims’ rehabilitation.
Endosulfan is a toxic insecticide being phased out worldwide, but it is still in use in India. It affects human growth, and thousands in coastal Karnataka have fallen prey to its harmful effects.
The court had directed the government to provide ambulances and mobile health centres and identify hospitals for cash-less treatment of endosulfan victims in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada districts.
Amicus curiae Vaishali Hegde submitted her report before a division bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice B V Nagarathna. The bench was hearing a suo motu public interest case, initiated by a letter from High Court judge K L Manjunath, who had pointed to a lack of rehabilitation.
On January 27, the court had set a March 15 deadline for the State government to provide medical care and medicines for victims with more than 25 per cent disability. Hegde submitted 80 per cent of victims had been identified, and they had opened bank accounts.
The advocate representing the government said mobile heath centres had not been set up because the LS polls had come in the way. Once the polls are done, the problem will be addressed, he submitted.
The bench observed that victims should not suffer for want of medical help and adjourned the case to June 6. It directed the government to file an action taken report.
Welfare Measures for Metro Workers
The high court on Monday directed the Labour Commissioner to register all Metro construction workers and set up a provident fund for them.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice B V Nagarathna passed the order on a PIL seeking directions to improve the living condition of Metro workers. The bench was unhappy that the Labour Commission did not follow the court’s instruction to register the workers and give them identity cards.