The Endosulfan Victims Relief and Remediation Cell has been functioning effectively in Kasaragod district, an affidavit filed by the State government in the Kerala High Court said.

The affidavit was filed in response to a petition seeking a directive to the government to take follow-up actions on the welfare and rehabilitation measures of endosulfan victims.

The work of the Rs.200 crore worth projects funded by the National Bank for Rural Development (NABARD) aimed at infrastructure development in the endosuflan-affected localities in the district will be inaugurated at Bovikkanam near here on April 5.

The function would be inaugurated by Social Welfare Minister M.K. Muneer and Agriculture Minister K. P. Mohanan, P. Karunakaran, MP, said at a prèss conference here on Tuesday.

Panchayat-level monitoring cell to be floated

Having received clear cut assurances from the State government on majority of issues pertaining to the complex relief and rehabilitation package, the Endosulfan Peedhitha Janakeeya Munnani (EPJM) is now trying to evolve a mechanism to ensure that the authorities implemented the decisions in a time-bound manner.

Endosulfan Peedhitha Janakeeya Munnani has announced that it will go ahead with its agitation following failure of talks held with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here on Thursday.

The Munnani convenor Ambalathara Kunhikrishnan told The Hindu that the Chief Minister had conceded hardly any of their demands. Regarding conduct of another medical camp to identify fresh victims, Mr. Chandy had only promised a decision at the next round of talks on Monday.

Environmentalists in the city have urged the state government to take immediate steps to save the life of Mohan Kumar who is on a hunger strike at the High Court Junction demanding a comprehensive compensation package for victims of endosulfan in Kasargod district.

Inaugurating a protest meeting at the High Court junction, environmentalist M K Prasad said the government could not back track from the responsibility of providing protection to the victims.

Formal discussion on Monday

As the indefinite hunger strike seeking swift and comprehensive rehabilitation of endosulfan victims in the district entered 31st day on Wednesday, a five-member delegation of agitating activists will hold preliminary talks with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday ahead of the formal talks scheduled on Monday.

Hunger strike protest completes a month

As the hunger strike for the cause of endosulfan victims in the district completed a month here on Monday, people formed a human wall to protest against the alleged laxity of the State government in rehabilitating the affected population. Inaugurating the protest, Ambalathara Muneesa, a victim born without sight who has two postgraduate degrees, sought the resignation of N.A. Nellikunnu and P.B. Abdul Razak, MLAs from the district, for the alleged callous approach of the government.

No minister to be allowed to step into district if apathy continues: T.V. Rajesh

Accusing Chief Minister Oommen Chandy of shying away from disbursing rightful assistance to endosulfan victims, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) has warned that it will not allow any ministers to step into the district if the UDF government continued to show lethargy in taking care of the hapless victims.

An indefinite hunger strike launched by the Endosulfan Peeditha Janakeeya Munnai (EPJM) seeking effective and swift relief and rehabilitation for hundreds of endosulfan victims and their families crossed three weeks on Monday.

Environmentalist A. Mohankumar has been fasting at the strike venue for eight days. The doctors who examined him on Monday morning said his vital parameters were normal.

Affidavit on Kasaragod cell must be filed in two weeks

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the State government to file an affidavit clarifying the points raised by the Kasaragod District Collector regarding the formation of a Kasaragod district-level cell for coordinating rehabilitation and welfare measures of endosulfan victims. The Bench comprising Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice K. Vinod Chandran also directed the government to inform it the number of meetings held by the district-level cell after its formation.