Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) led LDF opposition in Kerala Wednesday came down heavily on the Congress led UDF government for its alleged ineptitude in containing spread of communicable diseases and walked out of the assembly.
Seeking leave for an adjournment motion on the issue, LDF said though the number of people suffering from fever crossed more than a million, government was "indifferent" to the situation.
Denying the opposition charges, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said government had taken various steps in coordination with concerned departments and as per reports the situation was under control.
Replying to a notice seeking leave for a debate on the serious circumstances that had arisen due to spread of various types of fevers especially after the onset of monsoon, Health Minister V S Shivakumar informed the House that more than 11 lakh people have been infected with fever in the last six months.
During this month alone, nearly 2.90 lakh have been affected but said number of people suffered from fever was less this year when compared to the figure last year due to effective preventive measures initiated by the government from October last year itself.
There was no shortage of medicines in government hospitals, he said.
Seeking leave for the motion, Mullakara Ratnakaran (CPI) said as per government records 63 persons have died due to different types of fever in the state this year.
Situation in the state was alarming and health department has virtully become non-functional, he alleged.
Shortage of medicines, doctros and paramedical staff in government hospitals have compounded the situatioin, he said, addding, "Kerala is shivering under fever and government remained as a mute witness".
Before walkout, opposition leader V S Achuthanandan said government was trying to hoodwink the people by making promises without implementing anything.
