IUML objects to Kerala PCC chief's recent statement, hints at differences within Congress
Kozhikode (Kerala) (PTI): The Indian Union Muslim League, a key member of the Congress-led UDF, on Monday expressed reservations regarding Kerala PCC chief K Sudhakaran's revelation that he had given "protection" to RSS shakhas decades ago.
Senior Muslim League leader and MLA M K Muneer also said that in view of the differing opinions within the Congress on various issues concerning the Left front, a high-level meeting of UDF should be held to discuss such matters and then come out with a joint stand.
Muneer, who has been a minister in previous UDF governments in the state, said that his party expects the Congress would have an internal discussion on what Sudhakaran said and the reasons given by him for his actions.
He said, while speaking to a channel at Kozhikode, that this was necessary as even Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi was of the view that those with RSS thinking should leave the grand old party.
"Therefore, any action to be taken in relation to that (Sudhakaran's statement) is by the Congress," Muneer said.
He also made it clear that there was "no doubt" that "there should be no move to legitimise the RSS by words or actions".
Sudhakaran recently courted controversy by saying that when he was part of the Congress (Organisation) decades ago, he had sent his men to "give protection" to some RSS shakhas in the state.
While speaking at a function in Kannur, he had said that the CPI(M) had tried to destroy the shakhas when it had been launched in places like Edakkad, Thottada and Kizhunna here and he had sent people to "protect" it from being destroyed by the Left cadres.
Congress (Organisation) came into being after the 1969 split of the Congress party. The Congress (O) later merged with the Janata Party.
Sudhakaran had also clarified that his actions back then were not because of any affiliation towards the right-wing outfits, but guided by his belief that all parties, including the RSS, have the right to function in a democratic country.
Muneer said that he had spoken to Sudhakaran regarding this and the latter had given his own justifications for his statement and the actions taken in the past.
"He told me he was part of the Janata Party back then. He also said that be it now or then, giving protection to those who are in distress was part of his character," Muneer said
"As far as we are concerned, we have still not been able to accept the justification given by him. If his party is convinced by the reasons given by him, we do not know how they will react," the IUML leader said.
However, the IUML believes that there should be an open discussion within the Congress on the issue and after that they would probably indicate what they intend to do, he added.
On being asked about the differing opinions coming from amongst the Congress leadership over issues like the Chancellor's action against the Vice Chancellors and the letter controversy involving the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation mayor, Muneer said there should be a high-level committee meeting of UDF before making statements on such matters.
"Problems within the LDF should be discussed by the UDF before indicating any views on the same," he said.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
