Syngenta and Bayer, top producers of the pesticides blamed for a sharp fall in bee populations around the world, have proposed a plan to support bee health to try to forestall a European Union ban

Endosulfan Peedhitha Janakeeya Munnani has announced that it will go ahead with its agitation following failure of talks held with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here on Thursday.

The Munnani convenor Ambalathara Kunhikrishnan told The Hindu that the Chief Minister had conceded hardly any of their demands. Regarding conduct of another medical camp to identify fresh victims, Mr. Chandy had only promised a decision at the next round of talks on Monday.

Environmentalists in the city have urged the state government to take immediate steps to save the life of Mohan Kumar who is on a hunger strike at the High Court Junction demanding a comprehensive compensation package for victims of endosulfan in Kasargod district.

Inaugurating a protest meeting at the High Court junction, environmentalist M K Prasad said the government could not back track from the responsibility of providing protection to the victims.

Formal discussion on Monday

As the indefinite hunger strike seeking swift and comprehensive rehabilitation of endosulfan victims in the district entered 31st day on Wednesday, a five-member delegation of agitating activists will hold preliminary talks with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday ahead of the formal talks scheduled on Monday.

Hunger strike protest completes a month

As the hunger strike for the cause of endosulfan victims in the district completed a month here on Monday, people formed a human wall to protest against the alleged laxity of the State government in rehabilitating the affected population. Inaugurating the protest, Ambalathara Muneesa, a victim born without sight who has two postgraduate degrees, sought the resignation of N.A. Nellikunnu and P.B. Abdul Razak, MLAs from the district, for the alleged callous approach of the government.

EU governments failed to agree a ban on three widely used pesticides linked to the decline of honeybees on Friday, but the European Commission could force one through by the summer unless member st

No minister to be allowed to step into district if apathy continues: T.V. Rajesh

Accusing Chief Minister Oommen Chandy of shying away from disbursing rightful assistance to endosulfan victims, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) has warned that it will not allow any ministers to step into the district if the UDF government continued to show lethargy in taking care of the hapless victims.

An indefinite hunger strike launched by the Endosulfan Peeditha Janakeeya Munnai (EPJM) seeking effective and swift relief and rehabilitation for hundreds of endosulfan victims and their families crossed three weeks on Monday.

Environmentalist A. Mohankumar has been fasting at the strike venue for eight days. The doctors who examined him on Monday morning said his vital parameters were normal.

Affidavit on Kasaragod cell must be filed in two weeks

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the State government to file an affidavit clarifying the points raised by the Kasaragod District Collector regarding the formation of a Kasaragod district-level cell for coordinating rehabilitation and welfare measures of endosulfan victims. The Bench comprising Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice K. Vinod Chandran also directed the government to inform it the number of meetings held by the district-level cell after its formation.