KPCC: Package for pesticide victims

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The KPCC president, Mr Ramesh Chennithala, announced that once the UDF comes to power, its first priority would be the implementation of a special package for endosulfan victims.

Talking to mediapersons here after the KPCC executive committee meeting held in Kochi on Saturday, he said the protests conducted by the Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, over the endosulfan issue were nothing but gimmicks to ensure his post as opposition leader.

The PCC chief said the Centre’s stance on the endosulfan issue was misinterpreted by the media. “The Kerala government’s representative at the Stockholm convention, Dr Muhammed Asheel, conveyed the wrong impression about Centre’s stand,” he said.

Mr Chennithala added that at the Stockholm convention the Central team urged world leaders to arrive at a consensus, and it also sought the possibility of an alternative pesticide if endosulfan was banned.

Fielding questions on the opinion of two union ministers, Mr Jaiam Ramesh and Mr Sharad Pawar, in the endosulfan issue, Mr Chennithala asserted that the Centre always wanted to impose a ban on the killer pesticide.

He also lauded the Congress leader, Mr V.M. Sudheeran’s efforts to bring about a ban on endosulfan.

Youth Congress activists supporting Mr K. Achuthan, the UDF candidate of Chittur, took out a protest march to the meeting venue in Kochi and demanded the expulsion of Socialist Janatha leader, Mr K. Krishnankutty from the UDF.