TN: AIADMK MP walks out of Committee meeting

Chennai, Feb 8: Mr N Jyothi, a Rajya Sabha MP belonging to the AIADMK, today created a flutter at a meeting of a Parliamentary Committee on Subordinate Legislation, by staging a walkout in protest against the ''improper'' handling of health issues by the DMK Government in Tamil Nadu.

The six-member Committee, headed by former Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptullah, was here to hold a two-day consultative meeting with officials of State Health and Family Welfare Department and drugs manufacturers on implementation of amended Schedule 'M' of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 2001.

While Mr Jyothi, who was one of the Committee members, attended the first session of meeting with drug manufacturers, he boycotted the discussion held with the officials of the State Government.

He even refused to accept a bouquet presented by State Health and Family Welfare Secretary V K Subburaj.

Later, the AIADMK MP told reporters that he boycotted the session in protest against the DMK Government's ''failure'' in effectively handling the recent outbreak of chikungunya and the ''poor management'' of public health system.

The other members of the Committee are former Union Minister P J Kurien, Revolutionary Socialist Party leader Abani Roy, Congress MP Rebello and Mr Tiwari from Jharkand.

UNI