Karaikal activists lament lack of any announcement on government medical college

Activists in Karaikal have voiced their disappointment over the absence of any mention of establishing a government medical college for the district in the recently presented Puducherry budget. Many residents lamented that despite assurances by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, steps have not been taken to establish the institution.

Ponn. Panneerselvam, district secretary of the Dravidar Kazhagam, criticised the continued delays. “The Union government promotes the ‘One District, One Medical College’ initiative to transform all districts into Ayushman districts. However, Karaikal has been overlooked by both the Puducherry government and the Union Territory administration. We lack a fully equipped healthcare facility and the people of Karaikal have waited long enough. The government must act now,” he said.

Mr. Panneerselvam said Mr.Rangasamy’s recent visit to the ‘Karai Karnival’, where he assured residents of efforts to upgrade the district government hospital, announcing a ₹55.50 crore OPD block, pediatric and dialysis units, and an expansion of Karaikal General Hospital. However, Mr. Panneerselvam criticised the absence of these projects in the budget.

J. Suriya of the Scheduled Castes and Tribal Welfare Federation criticised the budget for ignoring the concerns of the marginalised communities. “Key expectations included raising the housing grant from ₹5.5 lakh to ₹8 lakh, reducing the pension eligibility age to 50, and reconstructing Kovil Pathu Student Hostel, which has produced many leaders and officials. Additionally, an increase was not made in the ₹3,000 monthly assistance for chronically ill Adi Dravidars,” he added.