CPI Idukki passes motion on ailing public health sector

Party district conference held in Kattappana, Idukki on Sunday re-elects K. Salim Kumar as the new district secretary

Amid the perception that Kerala’s public health sector is number one in the country, the Communist Party of India (CPI), an ally of the ruling party, has stated that the public health sector in the district is in a deplorable condition.

A resolution was passed at the district conference of the CPI in Kattappana, Idukki on Sunday, stating that the lack of doctors across primary health centres and the Idukki Medical College poses a serious issue for the health sector. “Most of the hospitals in the district are suffering from a lack of basic amenities. Due to the absence of a better health care system in the hilly district, the people are forced to depend on other districts. The government should take immediate steps to appoint more doctors and paramedical staff in the government hospitals in the district,” said the memorandum.

The conference also demanded the State government’s immediate intervention to solve the issues in the Cardamom Hills Reserve (CHR) in the district.

Meanwhile, talking to the media, Revenue Minister K. Rajan said that the rules of the Land Assignment (Amendment) Act will be applicable from the first week of August. “A joint verification for the distribution of title deeds will begin from the first week of August. The government will take strict action against encroachers of public land. The government will not consider settled farmers and encroachers at the same level,” said Mr. Rajan.

Commenting on the Thrissur Pooram disruption issue, Mr. Rajan reiterated his stance that the government’s purported defense of ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar will not dampen his morale. “We are the communists born in fire,” said Mr. Rajan.

Meanwhile, the party re-elected K. Salim Kumar as the new district secretary. The announcement was made by CPI National Executive member K.P. Rajendran while addressing the elected representatives at the conference.

A 51-member district council and 32 representatives to the upcoming CPI State conference were also elected during the meeting.

K. Salim Kumar was first elected as the CPI district secretary during the CPI district conference, which was held at Adimaly in August 2022. During the secretary election, Salim Kumar defeated former Peerumade MLA E.S. Bijimol.