A meeting was held to review the implementation of NHRC's recommendations on the issue of Endosulfan on 19.4.2011 . The Government of Kerala was represented by their Health Secretary. Agricultural Secretary, Additional Health Secretary, Secretary, ICMR and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest from the Central Government also participated. In this meeting, it was conveyed by the Health Secretary, Government of Kerala that pension to the victims who are handicapped due to the use of Endosulfan has been raised from Rs. 300/- per month to Rs. 2,000/- per month from December 2010 onwards. The Additional Health Secretary conveyed that a health team has visited the State of Kerala recently to discuss the assistance which can be provided by the Ministry of Health for the victims of Endosulfan. They have also conveyed that the Ministry of Health will seek to provide for upgradation of medical facilities in the affected area under NRHM in addition to some of the steps already initiated in this direction.
NHRC impressed upon the State Government representative to expedite relief measures for the victims in the form of financial assistance as well as medical facilities. A representation was received from a charitable trust for volunteering to set-up a special school/hospital for the victims in the affected area. This representation was conveyed to the State Government for taking necessary steps to make use of the assistance offered by the charitable trust.
As regards, the use of Endosulfan, the Secretary, ICMR stated that an epidemiological study is already ongoing in the area through the local Calicut Medical College and the data is likely to be available soon. ICMR has already constituted a Committee to examine the NIOH report on Endosulfan. This committee will also evaluate the data generated by the Medical College and help in planning further studies by them. The Committee would also be requested to examine the feasibility of conducting a study in the 5 other States namely, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and Karnataka.
A meeting to review the action taken on proposed activities of the State Government covering social security as well as medical facilities for the victims of the Endosulfan use will be held after 2 months.

*****