Statement on the meeting concerning use of Endosulfan
The NHRC held a meeting of senior officers from the Centre and the State Government of Kerala on the 19th April, 2011 in New Delhi to review the implementation of its recommendations on the issue of Endosulfan, which included a ban on its use, among other measures. The Government of Kerala was represented by their Health Secretary. The Union Government was represented by the Secretary (Agriculture), Additional Secretary (Health), Secretary, Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest.
The Health Secretary, Government of Kerala reported that the pension to the victims who are handicapped due to the use of Endosulfan has been raised from ` 300/- per month to ` 2,000/- per month from December 2010. The Union Additional Secretary (Health) conveyed that a health team visited the State of Kerala recently to discuss the assistance which could be provided by the Ministry of Health to the victims of Endosulfan. He also said that the Ministry of Health will seek to provide for the upgrading of medical facilities in the affected area under the National Rural Health Mission, in addition to the steps already initiated.
The NHRC asked the State Government to expedite relief measures for the victims in the form of financial assistance as well as medical facilities. The Commission also gave the State Government representative a copy of a representation received by it from a charitable trust seeking to volunteer to set up a special school/hospital for the victims of Endosulfan in the affected area.
On the issue of use of Endosulfan, the Secretary, ICMR said 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 report of the National Institution of Occupational Health 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 five other States namely, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Karnataka.
A further meeting to review the action taken and proposed by the State Government, covering social security as well as medical facilities for the victims of Endosulfan, will be held shortly.
The Health Secretary, Government of Kerala reported that the pension to the victims who are handicapped due to the use of Endosulfan has been raised from ` 300/- per month to ` 2,000/- per month from December 2010. The Union Additional Secretary (Health) conveyed that a health team visited the State of Kerala recently to discuss the assistance which could be provided by the Ministry of Health to the victims of Endosulfan. He also said that the Ministry of Health will seek to provide for the upgrading of medical facilities in the affected area under the National Rural Health Mission, in addition to the steps already initiated.
The NHRC asked the State Government to expedite relief measures for the victims in the form of financial assistance as well as medical facilities. The Commission also gave the State Government representative a copy of a representation received by it from a charitable trust seeking to volunteer to set up a special school/hospital for the victims of Endosulfan in the affected area.
On the issue of use of Endosulfan, the Secretary, ICMR said 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 report of the National Institution of Occupational Health 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 five other States namely, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Karnataka.
A further meeting to review the action taken and proposed by the State Government, covering social security as well as medical facilities for the victims of Endosulfan, will be held shortly.