Cooperative Minister C N Balakrishnan on Wednesday said that the government is in the process of implementing the decision to take over the Kochi and Pariyaram medical colleges functioning in the cooperative sector.
‘’The cabinet has taken a decision in this regard. The district collectors of Ernakulam and Kannur have been directed to assess the assets and liabilities of both the medical colleges,’’ he told reporters, while listing out the achievements of his department in the last two years. He said that once these medical colleges are taken over, they would function under the Health Department. Balakrishnan said that the UDF had discussed the matter. ‘’I was present in the UDF meet when the matter was discussed and there was no opposition to it,’’ he said. When asked about CMP leader M V Raghavan’s opposition to the takeover of Pariyaram Medical College, he replied: ‘’Raghavan was instrumental in setting up the Pariyaram medical college. It is quite natural for Raghavan to have differences’’.
The minister said that the MLAs from Pariyaram and Kochi region were in favour of the takeover of the two medical colleges from the cooperative sector. With regard to the new regulations of the Centre on agricultural loans by primary cooperative banks, Balakrishnan said that his department had not got any information in this regard so far.
‘’The matter will be immediately taken up with the Chief Minister and also with NABARD at the earliest,’’ he said.