In protest against the government’s move to withdraw the Karunya Benevolent Fund scheme launched by former Finance Minister K.M. Mani, the Kerala Congress (M) organised a dharna in all the district headquarters on Tuesday.
Carrying out the State-level inauguration of protest KC(M) (Mani faction) chairman Jose K. Mani alleged that the LDF government was insensate to the issues of the poor.
Insurance companies
“While the Health Minister said the Karunya scheme would be extended till March next year, Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac, later, clarified that the scheme would be discontinued immediately. Dr. Isaac’s move is to offer a free reign to the private insurance companies in the State's public healthcare system,” Mr. Mani alleged. According to him, the decision to hand over the health insurance scheme to private companies would eventually turnout to be a disaster. “The conditions set by these corporate insurance companies from time to time will become a barrier in getting timely assistance to the poor patients. The LDF government should realise the sentiments of the people and continue with the Karunya scheme in the same manner it was implemented by the previous UDF government,’’ he said.
He warned the government of intensifying the protest in case of the government not reversing its decision in a week's time. A dharna, to be attended by all MPs and MLAs of the UDF, would be organised in front of the Secretariat on July 18. KC(M) district president Sunny Thekkedam presided over the event.
