No tribal funds diverted: Balan

Palakkad: Former scheduled caste and scheduled tribes minister and CPM central committee member AK Balan has refuted allegations of diverting tribal development funds to EMS Memorial Hospital, Perinthalmanna, which is a referral hospital for patients of tribes from Kottathara tribal specialty hospital in Attapadi.
Balan said Rs12.50 crore special fund of co-operative department was used for treatment of tribespeople at EMS cooperative hospital and no tribal welfare fund was used for it.Those who raised the baseless allegations should apologise, he said.
He said that during his period as minister, Kottathara tribal hospital was converted to a specialty hospital and more facilities were being added.
Meanwhile, tribal welfare officer of Kottathara hospital TR Chandran was dismissed from service for allegedly giving wrong information about tribal funds diverted to EMS cooperative hospital.
Also, a special health department team headed by its additional director Dr Preetha has completed a two-day study on tribal infant deaths in Attapadi. The report will be submitted to health minister Veena George. tnn