The allocation of Rs. 10 crore for the proposed Kochi Cancer Centre (KCC) in the Finance Minister’s reply to the budget debate tabled in the Assembly on Monday has not impressed those campaigning for the centre.
Dr. N.K. Sanil Kumar, an active volunteer of the V.R. Krishna Iyer Movement, which is spearheading the campaign, described the allocation as a mere eyewash exposing the lack of sincerity on the part of the government towards the project.
“Despite the project report prepared by the Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation being ready at the time of laying of the foundation stone of the centre back in last August, nothing has happened on the ground since then. If the government is sincere about the project, then it should demarcate the land and start work immediately,” he said.
There was no allocation for the centre in the last budget and the government was forced to announce Rs. 5 crore in the budget reply after Mr. Iyer hit the protest path, he reminded.
Apart from the centre, the Finance Minister’s reply had allocations for other city projects. Much to the relief of the organisers of Kochi-Muziris Biennale, an allocation of Rs.2 crore had been made as the second edition of the mega art event approaches conclusion.
An open air theatre at Tripunithura Hill Palace complete with a laser light and sound show had been proposed at Rs. 1 crore. Besides, Rs. 50 lakh had been allocated for an agri mall at Muvattupuzha and Rs. 10 lakh for a Changampuzha memorial at Edappally.
