Kerala sanctions Rs 14.4 crore package for Kasaragod endosulfan victims

A long time ago, in a place called Kasaragod in Kerala, India, a strong farm chemical called endosulfan was sprayed from airplanes over cashew plants.

That chemical made many people sick and caused problems for children growing up there.

The government of Kerala decided to help these families.

It set aside a huge amount of money — Rs 14.4 crore — for a program called Snehasanthwanam, which means comfort.

The money will be given every month to more than 5,000 people who are already receiving help.

About 1,000 more people who were newly found to be affected will also start getting help.

Some of the money goes to people who take care of sick family members, and some helps children pay for school.

The government will also make ten special child care centres better.

The affected families are happy but say they still need more help, like good healthcare and steady support, for a long time.