District administration’s survey methodology unscientific – Dr. Shanbhag

District administration’s survey methodology unscientific – Dr. Shanbhag

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 16, 2012: Dr. Ravindranath Shanbhag, president of the Human Rights Protection Foundation in Udupi, alleged that the district administration’s method of conducting a survey to identify endosulphan victims is faulty.

Addressing the press at Press Club in Mangalore today, Mr. Shanbhag said that the district administration is planning to conduct surveys in 78 villages across Sullia, Puttur, Bantwal, and Belthangady. According to the Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation (KCDC), endosulphan has been aerially sprayed in 92 villages. He demanded to know why the survey is being conducted only in 78 villages and why 14 villages have been excluded. He also alleged that villages in Kundapur, Kumta, and Udupi, where endosulphan was aerially sprayed have also been ignored.

 

He also said that the district administration must screen pregnant women for endosulphan effects in all affected villages. He pointed out the district administration’s survey methodology excludes villagers who have migrated to other cities after getting married and have given birth to disabled kids.

Criticizing District-in-charge Minister C. T. Ravi, who recently announced that the state government will test water and soil to determine the extent of damage caused by endosulphan, he said that endosulphan was last sprayed in 2011, adding that the government will not find any traces of endosulphan now because the rains have already washed away all traces of it.

Stating that authorities are making an attempt to prevent ban on endosulphan, he said that the Supreme Court has asked the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to submit a report on the necessity of banning endosulphan and the ICMR has requested 3 years to conduct a study. He demanded to know why the ICMR needs three years as it has already conducted a number of similar studies in the past. Besides, teams from KMC Mangalore and KMC Manipal have already conducted studies by receiving ICMR grants, he added.

He also announced that human rights activists will approach the High Court of Karnataka. He lauded the high court for issuing notices to the state and central governments after receiving Justice K. L. Manjunath’s letter alleging that the government was not providing proper assistance to endosulphan victims.