Mangalore, Oct 10 (DHNS) : The district administration has identified 78 villages, says DC
With the State government directing Dakshina Kannada district administration to complete the survey on Endosulfan victims by October 31, the survey will commence from Thursday.

In a preparatory meeting held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channappa Gowda, initial survey will be carried out in 78 villages of Sullia, Puttur, Belthangady and Bantwal taluks. Under the guidance of Taluk Panchayat EO, Tahsildar and medical officer, a team with anganwadi workers, Asha workers, village accountant, PDO and ANM will visit every house of the victim to carry out the survey work. The volunteers will have to fill 15 column format with details like type of handicap, whether handicap was from birth, heart related ailment, lung problem, lack of sight, deafness and dumb, cancer, infertility, paralysis and so on.

The DC directed the officials to complete the survey within a week.  “After preparing a detailed report by October 31, the government will be asked to carry out a health check up camp for the victims by the specialists either in the first or second week of November.”

Endo Santhrasthara Horata Samithi President Sridhar Gowda said “the enumerators should note down the complete picture of the victim’s house. Otherwise, there are possibilities of genuine victims getting denied of the benefits.”

He said that the officials will get information on the Endosulfan victims, if they collect details on spray of Endosulfan to the cashew plantations by the Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation (KCDC).  

The DC urged the officials to be cautious to ensure that no ineligible beneficiaries are included in the list. In the beginning, survey will be conducted in four taluks, he added.

The volunteers will be given Rs 350 and vehicle in case of necessity, said DHO O R Srirangappa.  Speaking to mediapersons, the DC said that the survey will be completed within a week. “After the survey, we will hold health camps in those areas where the number of victims are more. We will make an effort to provide medical facilities to the victims with the help of private hospitals.”

He said “as per the activists who have been working towards Endosulfan victims, there are 92 villages affected with Endosulfan poisoning. However, the district administration has identified 78 villages. As many as 23 primary health centres and 78 sub health centres come in these villages. A total of 400 volunteers will take part in the survey.”

Additional DC Dayanand, Puttur AC Prasanna and others were present.