BALA KURUP
In this area all these complaints have come up in recent times. They are not at all productive. We are spraying endosulfan in so many other places like Cheemeni and Rajapuram. We have been spraying for so many years. There have been no complaints in the past. Endosulfan is not banned in India and we use recommended concentrations. It is a contact poison, not at all harmful to humans. I think some experienced people like doctors should do a study. Endosulfan is used for so many other crops like paddy, cotton, sugarcane and arecanut. If it is harmful the government should ban it. We follow all the norms. We make mike announcements in advance. We notify people through advertisements in newspapers. We cover the waterbodies. After complaints, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board has taken well water samples and there is not at all any contamination in the waterbodies (in Periya). The stream in Padre (from where these complaints are coming) is one and a half km away from the plantations. We don't spray close to the human habitations. I think there are some interests behind all these (complaints). They are purposefully done. I don't know the reason behind them. I think what they say is not true. We are taking all precautions as per the directions of the district collector. And the district collector is giving permission after recommendations of the medical officer. If we don't spray the entire plantation will be gone. We'll lose Rs two crore in Kasaragod; 85 per cent of the crop will be gone. It is government money. I have seen one or two cases in Padre. Their relatives are saying they don't know (whether this is due to endosulfan). We don't want to make problems for the local people. But if we don't spray the government will lose a lot of money. We are already having a financial crisis.