Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV/MD)
Mangaluru, Mar 9: "The state government has planned tol declare Ullal as the first city in the entire state to be kerosene-free on March 11, by providing free gas connections to the families who are still relying on kerosene," said minister for health and family welfare U T Khadar.
Addressing a press meet at Circuit House here on on Monday March 9, Khadar said, "When the food and civil supplies department got the news about making Ullal a kerosene-free town, it made a survey and found more than 1,300 BPL families. Later when Ullal city municipality conducted a survey, it found 570 very poor families in BPL. We have decided to provide gas connections for free to these families and make Ullal kerosene-free city.
"The programme will be held on March 11 at 10 am in Ullal municipality grounds. The scheme has been implimented under various grants," he added.
Swine flu
On the spread of H1N1 disease, Khadar said that the number of cases is on a decline. "More than 80% people who had been afflicted with swine flu have recovered through medication and a few others who have diabetes and old people who are affected will take time to cure.
"A committee of five doctors from various fields of specialization has been formed to control and study the H1N1 disease. Dr Paramesh will lead the committee. When the virus is restricted to the throat it can be controlled but if it enters the lungs it may take more time," he added.
Roads
Under the NGNRY-III programme, Rs 19.86 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of roads in the rural areas in Ullal constituency, Khadar said.
On central budget
Commenting on the central government's budget, the health minister said the budget is not at all helpful for the common man and for agriculturists. "There is no specific programme for the development of common man. This years budget is favourable to industrialists. There is no specific plan for the unemployed youths also," he said.
On the 'Make in India' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Khadar said that the project has been implemented without doing any basic research.
"Not much importance has been given to healthcare either. The health insurance companies are benefitted as people are supposed to pay Rs 20,000 as premium as against the previous Rs 15,000.
The Universal Health Coverage programme has been left out from the budget, which if implemented would have been helpful for people as 50 percent of the healthcare costs would be covered by the state governments," he said.
State budget
Regarding the upcoming state budget, Khadar said that Rs 2,000 crore may be set aside for the following programmes:
1. To implement schemes of health department
2. To upgrade institutions with computerised technology
3. Sophisticated ICUs.
On the ambitious bike ambulance project, U T Khadar said 20 out of 36 bikes are ready for use and he is waiting for approval from chief minister Siddaramaiah.