Funds to local bodies not to be reduced

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 18. The Chief Minister said the Government does not propose to reduce the percentage of fund devolution to the local self-government institutions. He also claimed that the Government has initiated several measures to bring down the non-Plan expenditure and cited the decision not to buy new cars, create new posts or indulge in cultural extravaganzas like Manaviyam as efforts in the direction of pruning non-developmental expenditure.

In a written reply, the Chief Minister informed the House that the Government is yet to pay retirement benefits to its employees who had retired on and after November 30 last. The Government has not taken any decision to withhold the retirement benefits and would release these as soon its finances improved, he said.

He said in reply to other questions that 18 custodial deaths were reported during LDF rule and that 10,911 police constables were recruited during the same period.

Private medical colleges: The Health Minister, Mr. P. Sankaran, said in a written reply that the Government is actively considering applications for setting up new private medical colleges in the State. The Government is in receipt of a few applications for setting up private medical colleges and these are being processed, he said.

Mr. Sankaran said he had held discussions with the Union Health Minister, the Indian Medical Council chairman and the Union Health Secretary regarding the State's demand for enhancement of seats in medical colleges by 20 per cent. He also informed the House that the Government proposes to reconstitute hospital development committees attached to medical colleges.

In reply to another question, the Minister said the Government is examining the draft legislation for controlling private hospitals and nursing homes sent to the State by the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare.

Kalamandalam: The Culture Minister, Mr. G. Karthikeyan, said the Government is actively considering a proposal to change the statutes of the Sree Sankaracharya Sanskrit University to grant affiliation to degree courses of Kerala Kalamandalam.

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Section  : Southern States
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