A photograph shared by Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan of the DYFI’s ‘Hridayapoorvam’ Pothichoru (food packet) distribution programme at a government hospital.
Faced with intense civic and political outrage, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan on Sunday flip-flopped on his opposition to the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI)’s free ‘pothichoru’ (food parcel) distribution in over 60 government hospitals in Kerala.On Saturday, Mr. Muraleedharan had said that the government would put an end to the distribution of food packets on hospital premises under the banner of political parties. He said the government would start community kitchens in hospitals. The statement led to a huge uproar, with the DYFI and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] accusing the Minister of attempting to scuttle a humanitarian initiative that has continued without a break since the DYFI launched it in 2017.By Sunday evening, the Minister’s office issued a clarification saying that the government is not against free food distribution programme at hospitals. “The Minister’s earlier statement was made regarding the Government Medical College in Alappuzha, where some organisations have encroached upon the hospital’s land in the name of food distribution. It need not be seen as a general statement. The government’s wish is that the poor get food,” said the statement. DYFI national president A.A. Rahim told The Hindu that governments across the world usually attempt to get the maximum number of community organisations involved in health and social security sectors, but the UDF government has unfortunately taken an opposite view, which is not beneficial to anyone.“The DYFI organises blood donation in all hospitals and has hundreds of ambulances in which patients in critical condition are taken to hospitals. Would the Minister stop these also? Several organisations, including the Indian Union Muslim League’s C.H. Muhammed Koya Foundation, organise initiatives on hospital premises under their banner. Many voluntary organisations have been distributing food packets even before the DYFI initiative, but what makes our model different is the participation of people of all religions and belonging to various political parties, who prepare the food which is consumed by people from all walks of life,” said Mr. Rahim.
