Members of voluntary organisations in Ambattur are on an indefinite fast, demanding better education and healthcare facilities in the locality since Sunday.
Residents of the fast-developing locality have been demanding a government hospital and government college for several years now. Stressing these demands, members of Revolutionary Youth Association and Uzhaipor Urimai Iyakkam have gone on the fast in Varadarajapuram, Ambattur.
Residents said they were largely dependent on private clinics and hospitals for medical care or have to travel several kilometres to visit the government facility in Chennai or Tiruvallur. They demanded a 1,000-bed government hospital be established in Ambattur to cater to residents of localities along Chennai-Tiruvallur High Road.
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Ambattur also lacks a government college and an adequate number of government higher secondary schools. Revolutionary Youth Association’s national secretary K. Bharathi said though several representations had been made for a hospital and more government schools, measures were yet to be initiated.
K. Palanivel, State secretary of All India Central Council of Trade Unions, said the area has only one higher secondary school. Residents have little choice but to pay more fees and admit children in private schools.
The organisations’ other demands include fixing of minimum wages at Rs. 15,000 and removal of the Athipet dumping yard that is causing environmental pollution. They have also protested the opening of a Tasmac shop at Varadarajapuram.
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