Ullal to be first kerosene-free CMC in State soon, says Khader

Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader said the Department of Food and Civil Supplies will provide free LPG connection to 570 BPL card holders, who don’t have the facility in City Municipal Council under kerosene-free plan, in a formal ceremony at Ullal CMC premises on March 11.

With this Ullal will become the first CMC in the State to become kerosene-free.

Briefing reporters, on Monday, he said in the first phase the department would provide gas stove and other utensils at free of cost. About migrants, the matter of providing facility would be discussed with owners. The Department of Food and Civil Supplies would take a decision on stopping the distribution of kerosene in ration shops, he clarified.

Khader said for the development of rural connecting roads, the State government has released Rs 19.86 crore to Mangalore constituency under ‘Namma Grama Namma Rasthe’ project.

Under this, roads connecting Talapady-Tattani-Devipura temple, Mudipu-Manchya, Pajeer-Mittakodi-Arkana, Padil-Panela, Kurnad-Kodakal, Talemogar-Sajjanar, Ira-Paravu, Balepuni-Narya and Sajpa-Kanchanadpa roads will be developed. The first phase of asphaltation would commence by April or May, he said.

The minister said the Union budget is designed for industrialists and there is nothing for the uneducated. The government has not dealt with the problems of youth, unemployment and though Modi government came to power with ‘Make in India’ slogan, there is not much support to research.

The first and second budget of a government is very important, but this budget would not help for the overall development of the country.

Pharmaceutical companies didn’t get anything from the budget. Though the government extended the health insurance exemption from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, it would just benefit insurance companies. The government could have offered 50 per cent financial aid for the states which provide universal health insurance coverage, he said.

Meanwhile, Khader hoped that the state government would release Rs 2,000 crore for the health department to provide funds to complete pending schemes. The department is focused on development of institutions. From PHC to State-level, hospital data maintenance will be computerised. District and taluk hospitals will be sophisticated with ICU.

H1N1 is under control

The Health Minister said that 80 per cent of H1N1 patients have been recovered. He said that there is no connection between medication being given by the government and lab test. Manipal and Nimhans, are the two government recognised labs, where government pays the money.

A five-member team, headed by Dr Paramesh has been constituted to look after the developments in H1N1 issue. Precautionary measures are being taken to tackle the disease more effectively in future.

Khader hinted that the tie-up of KMC with District Wenlock Hospital will continue for three years.
“We can not deny their service all of a sudden. According to the Medical Council of India (MCI), medical college will be built in Wenlock itself and 20 acres of land will be sufficient. For a college, it needs at least Rs 300 to 400 crores. We can not demand for the fund in this budget,” he said.

Ullal CMC President Girija M and others were present on the occasion.