The DMK opposed the renaming of Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme in the Assembly on Thursday.
During his speech in the debate on the demand for grants for the Health Department, DMK MLA R. Masilamani criticised the way in which the scheme was being implemented. He said the Central government was only paying a component of the maternity benefit scheme but that had led to the renaming of the scheme.
“Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy is not just a name but a legend in the Dravidian movement. She, being the first woman doctor, has immensely contributed to the abolishing of Devadasi system,” Mr. Masilamani pointed out.
Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar clarified that there was no confusion in the scheme and even the ruling government was aware of her contributions to the State, and hence named the hospital in Pudukkottai after her.
When the DMK MLA questioned the legal steps taken by the Tamil Nadu government to oppose NEET, the Minister said the students from the State would perform better in the test since they were preparing for the exam already and the results this year were better than last year’s results.
When the DMK MLA sought to know about the 10,000-bed Health City, the Minister said efforts were on to set up 1,000-bed hospitals in the Omandurar Government Estate and in Kancheepuram.
