Date:01/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/01/stories/2008100161461000.htm

Tamil Nadu

Funds for healthcare not utilised properly: Ramadoss

Special Correspondent

S. Ramadoss

CHENNAI: PMK leader S. Ramadoss on Tuesday alleged that the functioning of the State Health Department was far from unsatisfactory, claiming that the Rs 1,600 crore allotted by Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss over the years had not been properly utilised.

Addressing a public meeting in Chennai, Dr Ramadoss said the Rs. 100 crore allotted to the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Government Hospital for Women and Children in Egmore a year ago remained unused.

“It was a reputed hospital and I did my house surgeonship there. Recently I visited the hospital two times. It looks like a deserted bungalow,” he said.

Dr. Ramadoss said there was no truth in Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi’s argument that illicit brewing would be rampant if government-run TASMAC liquor shops were closed. “It is a specious argument. Sale of illicit liquor is very much there in all the districts. In Villupuram district there is hardly any place where illicit liquor is not available,” he added. The PMK leader also criticised the government for not implementing uniform school education policy in Tamil Nadu.

Corrections and clarifications