Jairam Ramesh asks government to launch anti-liquor campaign

PALAKKAD (KER): Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh today asked the Kerala government to launch an anti-alcholism campaign in the tribal hamlets of Attapaddy in the district.

"Do not drink liquor", he urged the tribal villagers of Paloor hamlet in Attapaddy during a visit to the hamlets along with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to have an on the spot study of the health scenario in the wake of infant deaths due to malnutrition in the recent days.

Ramesh asked the state government officials accompanying them to start an anti-liquor campaign immediately in the area.

Ramesh enquried from the villagers the problems faced by them in the health sector.

According to official figures, as many as 28 tribal children had died in the last six months alone due to various health problems including malnutrition, poor health of mothers and failure to provide prompt pre and post maternity medical aid.

Taking a serious view of the situation, state government had announced a package to improve the health delivery system in the area.