The Hindu : Front Page : "People's support for welfare schemes growing"

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 31, 2006
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"People's support for welfare schemes growing"

Special Correspondent

Karunanidhi re-launches `Varumun Kappom Thittam'

ENSURING HEALTHCARE: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi inaugurating a scanning facility at a health camp under the `Varumun Kappom Thittam' in Poonamallee on Saturday. Health Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran (left) and Congress Legislature Party leader D . Sudarsanam are also in the picture. — Photo: M. Vedhan

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said on Saturday that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government would draw inspiration from people's support to implement new welfare schemes, even while restoring projects scrapped by the AIADMK regime.

Shortly after re-launching the `Varumun Kappom Thittam' at Poonamallee in Tiruvallur district, he said people's support for and appreciation of the DMK Government's projects was growing like a waxing moon.

The AIADMK Government abandoned the `Varumun Kappom Thittam', just as it had shelved `uzhavar sandhai', `Periyar Samathuvapuram' and the marriage assistance scheme named after Moovalur Ramamirtham, he said.

Medical camps

Stressing the importance of `Varumun Kappom Thittam,' aimed at providing healthcare to people by conducting medical camps in villages, Mr. Karunanidhi said people should shed superstitious beliefs and opt for scientific measures to contain dreaded diseases. He inaugurated a health camp under the scheme.

Mr. Karunanidhi handed over cheques to 10 beneficiaries under the maternity scheme named after Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy.

He gave cheques for Rs. 2 lakh to the heads of four medical colleges for upgrading maternity and children's wards at the medical college hospitals.

Tiruvallur Collector Ranvir Prasad received a cheque for Rs.80 lakh from the Chief Minister for enhancing facilities in primary health centres.

Phones handed over

The Chief Minister also handed over mobile phones to village health nurses. Funds were given for upgrading health sub-centres, installing ultra sonogram at the primary health centres, forming beneficiaries' welfare associations and providing ambulances for taluk headquarters hospitals.

Public Works Minister Durai Murugan said the scheme to provide financial assistance of Rs.6,000 — at the rate of Rs.1000 a month for six months covering three months in the antenatal period and three months in the postnatal period — to poor pregnant women for having nutritious food and compensating wage loss during pregnancy, had won the appreciation of one and all.

Health Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran said the `Varumun Kappom Thittam' would offer healthcare to the people at their doorstep.

Health Secretary V.K. Kuppuraj said Rs.18.32 crore had been earmarked for the `Varumun Kappom Thittam.'

Congress Legislature Party leader D. Sudarsanam lauded the DMK Government's efforts at promoting the welfare of workers, farmers and unemployed youth.

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