Karaikudi GH to get cath lab facility from MP-LAD Fund: P Chidambaram

Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P. Chidambaram has said that he would give a sum of ₹2 crore from the MP-LAD (Local Area Development) Fund towards establishing a cath lab in Karaikudi Government Hospital.

Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, he said that following some complaints, he visited the GH and during an interaction with the Dean, he found that there was no cath lab, the hospital did not have an ambulance and relied only on 108 emergency services and among others.

Hence, in consultation with the Sivaganga District Collector P. Akash, he proposed to give ₹2 crore from the MP-LAD Fund for setting up the cath-lab. “Once the Tamil Nadu government sanctioned funds for construction of a new building for the cath lab, I will also give consent for release of ₹2 crore from the MP- LAD Fund,” he said and added that every MP could give up to ₹5 crore a year for which funds are earmarked by the Central government.

On the price rise, Mr Chidambaram, a former Finance Minister, said that though there were very many reasons, the Union government was largely responsible for the issue.

Explaining the causes such as the ongoing wars between two nations, the problems faced in transport or import of oil and other commodities, et al. had contributed for the inflation. While the wholesale price inflation stood at 11.5, the retail inflation/consumer price inflation was at 5.5 and the food price inflation stood at 10.5. Hence, the Union government should act upon in such a way that the prices were under control.

Hence, the price rise cannot be attributed to any one State government, which cannot do much on this. However, the T. N. government may procure rice and other essential goods and sell them to economically weaker sections and middle class at a price which would be affordable for them through cooperative societies. For long time, the wages of the working class had not risen. Hence, it would be ideal for the governments at the State level to help the masses beat the inflation.

Following the unrest and series of protests against the Election Commission of India and the intervention of the apex court by the Opposition parties, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) had been dropped and instead SSR (special summary revision) has begun.

The Tamil Nadu government should conduct the local body polls, which alone would ensure funds from the Union government. There should not be any delay, he suggested.

The corruption at the Registration Department, Tangedco and Revenue department and among others appear to have reduced sizably. “Persons were apprehensive of doing it in the open and scared of action,” he said and it was a welcome move. The TVK party had maintained its vote share in the by-poll which showed the people stood by the government, he replied to another query.