Rs 56.76 crore sanctioned for endosulfan victims

Kerala cabinet today sanctioned Rs 56.76 crores for paying compensation to people who had suffered various health problems due to environment and water pollution caused after aerial spraying of pesticide endosulfan in cashew plantations in Kasargod district.
The family of persons died, completely bed-ridden or mentally retarded due to exposure of the pesticide would Rs five lakh each, a press release said.
Government had decided earlier to give Rs three lakh each to cancer patients, physically challenged persons in instalments and as per that, two instalments had already been made.
The amount sanctioned today was for paying the third instalment, the release said.

As per the list of victims, there are 257 completely bed-ridden persons, 1161 mentally retarded, 985 physically challenged, 437 cancer patients and 709 persons dependents of the deceased.