Karnataka to follow Kerala model in distributing compensation to endosulfan victims

Bengaluru/Mangaluru: Karnataka Health Minister KR Ramesh Kumar has assured that the state government would soon distribute compensation to endosulfan victims in the coastal districts.

The Minister was addressing the monsoon session of the Assembly on Wednesday and gave the statement in reply to a question raised by the opposition.

It is said that the compensation package would have similar features like the one dispersed by the Kerala government to its endosulfan victims.

Speaking during the session, BJP member Sunil Kumar said that the state government had identified 6,500 endosulfan victims in the state. However, the number of victims is higher than estimated figure and more than 10,000 people have been suffering the ill effects of the pesticide in Dakshina Kannada and neighbouring districts. The Kerala government distributed compensation worth Rs 5 lakh and affected families are being supplied 30 kilograms nutritious food every 30 days, he said.

Replying to the statement, Minister Ramesh Kumar said that the Karnataka government would distribute compensation to endosulfan victims in a similar way to Kerala. He also assured that he would personally visit endosulfan-affected areas soon after monsoon session of the Assembly.