Opposition disrupts Assembly proceedings

Thiruvananthapuram, June 19 (UNI) An agitated Opposition disrupted the proceedings of the Kerala Assembly today forcing Speaker K Radhakrishnan to adjourn the House ahead of schedule after rushing through business listed for the day.

Trouble started when Opposition members entered the well of the House, during the zero hour, shouting slogans after their demand for an adjournment motion on the viral fever epidemic was turned down by the government.

As repeated requests by the Speaker to cooperate were not heeded by the Opposition, he rushed through the business listed for the day, including referring two bills to the consideration of the Subject Committee of the House and adjourned the House.

Earlier seeking leave for the motion, Mr K C Joseph (Cong) alleged that the government had failed to check the spread of viral fever and other mosquito-borne diseases like chikungunya and dengue which claimed more than 70 lives during the past two months.

He said the epidemic had affected more than one million people in the state and the government failed to tackle it by taking adequate steps on time. Shortage of doctors and para-medical staff in government hospitals had made the situation worse causing great hardships to the people, Mr Joseph said and called for the resignation of Health Minister P K Sreemathi.

Describing the situation alarming, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy said the state government had even failed to utilise a Central assistance of Rs 177 crore allotted under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Thousands of people were reporting to hospitals daily with the affliction and the government hospitals lacked in proper facilities to treat them all, he said and requested the Chief Minister to allow a thorough discussion on the issue.

Replying to notice for the motion, Ms Sreemathi said there was no need for any alarm as the spread of the disease was now under control.

She said nearly one million people had been affected by the disease out of which 76 had died during the last six months.

Assisted by medical teams from the Defence forces, the health department had been able to tackle the disease effectively, she added.

Rejecting the Opposition demand for a discussion on the issue by suspending other business of the House, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan alleged that the Opposition was trying to create an alarm.

Opposition members moved to the well of the House after the Speaker refused leave for the motion in the light of the statements by the Chief Minister and the Health Minister.

UNI