ANANTAPUR: The activists of All-India Youth Federation (AIYF) on Wednesday gheraoed Director of Medical Education Y.V. Rao on the premises of Government Medical College here, demanding sufficient measures to save people from various diseases being caused by mosquitoes.

`False reports'

A dharna led by Sreeramulu, Gopal, P. Laxmi Narasimhulu, K.Y. Prasad and Ramakrishna in front of the DM&HO's office, alleged that the district officials were sending false reports to the State Government on the incidence of dengue in the district. Though a large number of cases were reported all over the district the district medical and health officials had put the figure low.

By doing so, officials were playing with the lives of the people, they alleged. They claimed that more than 50 cases of dengue were reported in the district so far and about six of the them succumbed to it. Irrespective of the Government claims that Rs. 64 lakhs was released to the district for taking preventive measures, there were no instances of fogging, desilting of drains and proper medicare to the dengue-affected patients.

They reminded the Congress leaders that they had agitated with the Left parties when in opposition and had demanded higher budget allocation for health sector. But, in two-and-a- half year rule, they had broken all such promises, the AIYF leaders alleged. They also demanded resignation of Finance and Health Minister K. Rosaiah. They came to know about the DME's visit during the protest at the DM&HO's office.

They went to the medical college and gheraoed Dr. Y.V. Rao. In a memorandum to the DME they demanded intensifying medical camps and ex gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakhs each to the families whose members had fallen prey to dengue.

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