Mangaluru: Not implementing the High Court verdict in favor of endosulfan victims, in letter and spirit, could invite the wrath of contempt of court on the Health and Family Welfare Department. This was the view expressed by Endo Virodhi Horata Samiti President, Shridhar Gowda. At a press meet at the Mangaluru Press Club, Gowda slammed Deputy Commissioner (DC) of DK for making false claims with sections of the media on issues pertaining to Endosulfan victims.

The Nodal Officer for Endosulfan, at a review meeting on Endosulfan had been issued orders by the DC, A B Ibrahim to ensure that  the stipend is released from Health and Family Welfare Department within a span of ten days.

However, Gowda said, even after almost 30 days have passed, the stipend has not materialized. “The victims will write about many problems encountered due to laxity of government functionaries to the Chief Justice of Karnataka.” Besides, the victims under the banner of the Endo Virodhi Horata Samiti,  would stage a protest demonstration on April 27 in front of DC office, he informed.

Taking a sharp jibe at the lukewarm response of the government, in providing the stipulated facilities to endosulfan victims, which according to Gowda, has not reached hands of victims, he contended that,  this amounts to contempt of court. The court its order had ruled that facilities demanded by the victims must be provided by the govt. However, in reality, special food packages, a mobile hospital, soft nurse, deployment of doctors from private hospitals has not been realized. This, Gowda claimed amounts to contempt of court. He threatened, if in a few days facilities were not provided, he would move the High Court.

When questioned about U T Khader’s response, Gowda quipped “I consider his initial U T as U-Turn.” He is U-Turn Khader. Most of his announcement of schemes have not been implemented on the ground. He is least bothered about endosulfan victims”.