KOCHI: It’s more than three months since the foundation stone for the Kochi cancer hospital cum research centre was laid by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
However not only has work on the centre not started, it’s also learnt that the 10 acres of land promised for the centre has not been demarcated by the authorities.
The state government is not entrusting the Central Government owned Hospital Service Consultancy Corporation with the execution of the project.
The vastly experienced HSCC, which is executing the Rs 2000 crore Jhajjar cancer centre project in Haryana, had prepared the project report for the Kochi cancer centre, which the state government entrusted to it after a lot of pressure.
“I understand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Justice V R Krishna Iyer had favoured setting up the centre when the latter raised the issue.
The state government is not pushing the Central Government enough for its various projects, which is why it is not getting a favourable response.
In fact the Centre has great regard for projects in the state, but the state government should press our case when it is short of money.
The state BJP will provide all cooperation if our support is sought,” said V Muraleedharan, BJP state president.
Meanwhile the Justice V R Krishna Iyer Movement has decided to start campaigns for the cancer centre from the taluk level.
Ernakulam Rural SP Sateesh Bino will launch a signature campaign at Aluva St Xavier’s Women’s College on Monday by involving college students.
Aluva municipal chairman M T Jacob, former Ernakulam District Collector K R Viswambharan, Dr Tony Fernandez and Dr N K Sanil Kumar will speak on the occasion.
