The Hindu : Kerala News : Chandy's directive to Health Secretary

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 07, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Chandy's directive to Health Secretary

By Our Staff Reporter

KOLLAM, OCT. 6. The Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, has informed the Rajya Sabha Member, N.K. Premachandran, that the Health Secretary had been directed to take necessary steps to claim the consignment of hospital equipment costing Rs. 1.5 crores donated by the Federation of the Kerala Association of North America (FOKANA).

The communication from the Chief Minister came as a reply to a memorandum submitted by Mr. Premachandran on the issue.

Goodwill gesture

The consignment in question was dispatched by the association from the U.S. as a goodwill gesture two years ago. It had reached the Kochi Port in May 2002.

Although the port authorities had informed the Health Department about the arrival of the consignment, there was an alleged lack of interest on the part of the department to claim the equipment since a customs duty of Rs. 25 lakhs had been imposed.

Mr. Premachandran in his memorandum pointed out that had the department taken up the issue with the Union Finance Ministry, the duty would have been withdrawn.

The equipment was meant for district hospitals of Kollam, Idukki and Alappuzha, the Government Victoria Hospital for Women in Kollam and Vivekananda Hospital, Kalpetta.

Mr. Premachandran said that it was unfortunate that the State Government had ignored a good will gesture from the Malayali diaspora in the U.S.

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