: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Monday that the government would go ahead with the implementation of the projects under the Idukki package. Replying to a submission moved by Roshi Augustine in the Assembly, he said the State was seeking the Centre’s approval to get the term of the package extended by two years.
“Though the extension has not been formally approved, the State faces no hurdles in implementing the projects under the Idukki package. The Ministry of Agriculture has informed us that the RKVY (Rashtriya krishi Vikas Yojana) schemes taken up under the package can continue”.
Mr. Chandy said the Centre had released Rs.260 crore out of Rs.481 crore approved for the package. “The balance amount would be released after the utilisation certificates were submitted.” Replying to another submission by N.A. Nellikunnu, he said the decision to equip government hospitals with facilities to conduct post-mortem examination round the clock would be implemented soon.
The government had issued an order in February 2013 to introduce 24x7 facilities for post-mortem examination in medical college hospitals first, and later in district hospitals.
“It is important to have both infrastructure and trained staff in place to avoid medico-legal complications related to post-mortem examination of bodies. The government would try to ensure that the facilities are in place as soon as possible,” he said.
Earlier, moving the submission, Mr. Nellikunnu said the families of accident victims were put to hardship by the delay in completing post-mortem examination.
