Endosulfan victims: Kerala govt accepts demands of activist Daya Bai
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): A fortnight after social activist Daya Bai began her indefinite hunger strike in front of the state secretariat here seeking justice for Endosulfan victims of Kasaragod district, the Kerala government on Sunday said it was ready to accept at least 90 per cent of her demands.
Daya Bai sat on hunger strike on October 2 alleging that the state government had abandoned the victims.
State ministers R Bindhu and Veena George today visited Daya Bai and assured her that all her demands would be met. After the talks, the social activist, however, said she will not back down from her strike unless a written assurance was received from the government.
"Earlier also, the government had given such assurances. But nothing materialised," she told the ministers. Endosulfan, an organochlorine insecticide and acaricide was used widely on crops like cashew, cotton, tea, paddy, fruits and others until 2011 in Kerala, when the apex court banned its production and distribution. Endosulfan's toxic effects on humans and related health hazards are well-known.
Daya Bai is on strike to ensure proper and better healthcare facilities in the Kasaragod district, where there are a maximum number of victims.
Talking to reporters here, the Ministers said they have informed the social activist about the steps taken by the government to meet her demands.
"The government was taking all steps to meet all the demands of the victims. Kasaragod medical college and a speciality hospital at Kanjangadu is nearing completion. New posts have been created at Kasaragod medical college. Funds have been allocated for new equipment, procurement has started," Health minister Veena George said.
Minister Bindhu said the state government will conduct the medical camp within two months and also agreed to open the day care centres as sought by Daya Bai.
The social activist was shifted to a hospital on October 4 after her health deteriorated. However, she resumed her satyagraha soon after her discharge. On October 8, Leader of Opposition, V D Satheesan, visited Daya Bai and pledged his support to her.
He attacked the Left government for not holding discussion with the 81-year-old even after six days of her hunger strike.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala also visited Daya Bai.
The social activist had sought to ensure better healthcare facilities in the Kasaragod district and also demanded that an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) be set up there.
She also demanded care centres in all grama panchayats, special medical camps for Endosulfan victims and provision of home-based care for bedridden patients.
The Supreme Court had on May 13 pulled up the Kerala government for not paying the compensation of Rs five lakh to each of the victims of toxic pesticide Endosulfan and directed the Chief Secretary to hold monthly meetings and ensure necessary medical help to them.
The top court had in January 2017 directed the CPI(M)-led government to disburse compensation and rehabilitation package for endosulfan pesticide victims.
The court had ordered the government to provide a compensation of Rs five lakh each to the next of kin of people who died following exposure to the pesticide and those who became bed-ridden or mentally challenged.
Earlier, the state government had prepared a list of 5,837 victims. A monthly pension was being given to 4,376 affected people.
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TN Assembly elections: Eight-month pregnant homemaker wins Thiru Vi Ka Nagar seat for TVK
Chennai (PTI): Before giving birth, she had already delivered a mandate—a symbol of hope for Thiru Vi Ka Nagar.
Echoing Delhi’s 2013 “common citizen” political churn associated with the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), an eight-month-pregnant homemaker, M R Pallavi, has been elected as an MLA from Chennai’s Thiru Vi Ka Nagar constituency, emerging as one of the notable first-time faces of the Vijay-led TVK in the recently held Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
In the narrow lanes of Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, a steady stream of media personnel has been making their way to Pallavi’s residence—a scene reminiscent of the result day in Delhi when journalists thronged the modest home of Rakhi Birla, who had won from Mangolpuri on an AAP ticket.
Pallavi, 36, a homemaker educated up to class XII, defeated the DMK candidate K S Ravichandran by a margin of 22,333 votes in the reserved Thiru Vi Ka Nagar Assembly constituency.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 seats, while DMK and AIADMK got 59 and 47, respectively.
Pallavi’s victory has drawn attention due to her personal circumstances. She campaigned extensively while eight months pregnant, going door-to-door to reach voters.
According to local accounts, she even fainted once during the campaign but continued her outreach.
She has not spoken to the media following her victory, as doctors have advised her to rest. Her husband, Rajesh, briefly recounted her campaign efforts.
A self-professed admirer of actor-turned-politician Vijay, Pallavi joined TVK soon after its formation and is now among its first-time legislators.
Doctors have advised her to be hospitalised around May 20, as she is expecting her second child. Ahead of that, voters in Thiru Vi Ka Nagar have entrusted her with representing them in the state Assembly.
Political observers say the rise of candidates like Pallavi signals a possible shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, with voters backing a new party and candidates from non-traditional backgrounds.
