Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Feb 2: "Rs 50 crore has been sanctioned under National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) for the state, out of which Rs 3.6 crore will be used to establish a health complex in Mangalore," said minister for health and family welfare U T Khadar.
Addressing reporters after a health review meeting here on Saturday February 1, Khadar said, "In Ullal a complex costing Rs 43 lac will be set up. Moreover, primary health centers will be upgraded with various facilities."
"The state government will provide a compensation of Rs 3,000 to endosulfan victims with a disability of 70% and above. Those who have a disability below 25% and upto 70% will recieve an amount of Rs 1,500. There will also be a district committee set up and headed by the deputy commissioner which will hold review meetings once every three months," he said.
"The compensation will be provided from March first week but the amount given will be inclusive of January and February. To receive the compensation amount the victims require a personal bank account, if they are unable to create an account then the amount will be transferred to the victim’s guardian or close relative."
He further said, "There are already two day care centers in the district; the government has planned to establish six more and also provide skill development programmes for the victims. In Udupi and North Karnataka districts, surveys are in progress and various special camps to check the victim’s disability will be identified. Victims can also contact the district committee if they are deprived of compensation. High Court has also ordered four organizations who were responsible for the endosulfan tragedy to pay the required compensation."
Reporters at the press meet raised questions on the variation in statistics. According to NGOs, 29 deaths were reported as a result of malaria whereas according to Wenlock hospital it was only five, while the DHO reported nil.
U T Khadar replied that the matter would be looked into on priority basis.
On this occasion principal secretary M Madan Gopal and deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim were also present.