Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Oct 27: Union minister of state for agriculture, Prof K V Thomas, insisted that it has not been conclusively proved that poisoning caused by the use endosulfan was behind innumerable diseases and deformities that left thousands of people of the region dead or crippled for life.  He was speaking to reporters here on Tuesday October 26.

“None of the studies conducted by the Kerala and central governments have conclusively proved through scientific tests and analysis that endosulfan had caused these diseases and deaths. Many other states in India and also foreign countries, where this insecticide-cum-acaricide is being made use of, have not reported such ill affects. A bill will be tabled in the coming session of the Lok Sabha about this preparation.  In view of public demand, a study would be got conducted through a panel of experts again about the after affects of endosulfan in the disease-prone areas of the district,” he declared.

Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) took out a procession in the city and burnt the effigy of the minister on Tuesday, protesting against his pro-endosulfan statement. District committee of Nationalist Congress Party also condemned the statement made by Thomas through a release, saying that this is tantamount to insulting the people.

State Chief Minister, V S Achutanandan, also came down heavily on the union minister for giving a clean chit to this dreaded insecticide. “It is shameful that a central minister is supporting a chemical that had taken a toll of over 200 persons, besides making the lives of scores of people hellish. Everyone should bring pressure on the union government to ban the use of endosulfan and to provide a suitable compensation package to families suffering from the after-affects of endosulfan use,” he said.