The United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala, led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, has sanctioned ₹14.40 crore for the continuation of the 'Snehasanthwanam' comprehensive rehabilitation and welfare package for endosulfan victims of Kasaragod for the financial year 2026-27. The government order was issued on Saturday, 8 August 2026, through the office of the Chief Minister, with the allocation routed via the Social Justice Department under the state budget.

Key Allocations Under the Package

The bulk of the sanctioned funds — ₹9.84 crore — has been earmarked as monthly relief for 5,208 existing beneficiaries covering the period from April 2026 to March 2027. An additional ₹2.64 crore has been set aside for approximately 1,000 new beneficiaries expected to be added to the official relief list during the year.

Under the 'Ashwasakiranam' scheme, ₹64.76 lakh has been allocated to provide monthly financial assistance to 771 caregivers who look after endosulfan-affected persons — an acknowledgement of the invisible care burden borne by families in the region.

Support for Children and Rehabilitation Infrastructure

The package also addresses the educational and developmental needs of children in affected households. ₹10.05 lakh has been sanctioned as educational assistance for 400 children during the 2026-27 academic year. A further ₹1.17 crore will be directed towards upgrading infrastructure and services at 10 model child rehabilitation centres operating in the affected areas.

Background: Decades of Pesticide Damage in Kasaragod

Endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide, was aerially sprayed over cashew plantations in Kasaragod for several decades, exposing residents to prolonged chemical contamination. The exposure has been linked to severe health and developmental disorders — including neurological damage, physical disabilities, and congenital conditions — among residents of the affected villages.

A sustained campaign by victims and their families over the years eventually compelled successive state governments to introduce compensation and rehabilitation measures. However, affected communities have continued to press for long-term, uninterrupted financial and medical support, arguing that the scale of harm demands a permanent welfare commitment rather than year-to-year allocations.

What the Government Said

According to the government order, the allocation is designed to ensure continuity of support for existing beneficiaries, bring newly identified victims into the welfare net, and strengthen rehabilitation and educational facilities in the region. The Satheesan administration said the funds would provide financial stability to affected families and reaffirm the state's commitment to the long-standing rehabilitation needs of the endosulfan-affected community.

With over ₹14 crore directed primarily at monthly assistance, the 2026-27 sanction marks one of the more substantial annual outlays under the Snehasanthwanam framework in recent years. Advocacy groups and victim organisations are expected to continue pressing for a permanent statutory entitlement rather than annual budget-dependent allocations.