15 PHCs to be raised to status of family health centres

The Ernakulam district has seen a Plan spending of 49.17% so far during the current financial year. At a meeting of the District Development Committee (DDC) in the city on Saturday, the District Collector asked various departments to increase the spending percentage to 70% by the end of December, said a press release.

A review of the programmes such as Haritha Keralam, Aardram, Life and public eduction were conducted ahead of the DDC meeting. Fifteen primary health centres (PHCs) will be raised to the status of family health centres this year as part of the Aardram programme.

Family health centres have already been established at Kodanad, Kuttampuzha and Mazhuvannoor. The family health centres in Vazhakkulam and Prayipra will be inaugurated on Sunday.

Eldho Abraham, MLA, said several deserving beneficiaries were left out of the Life Housing Programme for lack of ration cards. He said they should be provided with temporary cards to enable them to avail the benefits under various welfare schemes, and urged the DDC to intervene in the matter.

The MLA pleaded that the State Electricity Board’s collection centres in rural areas should not be closed down. Closing down the centres in the name of cutting cost would put the rural people in trouble, the MLA added. He also wanted road funds to be fully utilised to repair roads in the wake of increasing vehicular traffic on account of the opening of the Mandalam pilgrim season.

Water shortage

Roji John, MLA, said there was a shortage of water at the Kalady rest place for Sabarimala pilgrims. He said sufficient water should be made available. The MLA also said that more surveyors should be appointed in the Aluva taluk and that all vacancies should be filled in panchayat offices.