Thiruvananthapuram, 20 July (H.S.): Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan has once again defended the government's stand on the controversy surrounding the distribution of free food packets at government hospitals, asserting that the administration has not stopped charitable food services but has only acted against the unauthorised occupation of hospital premises.

Addressing reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, the minister said the criticism that the government had denied food to patients was completely misleading. No one has been prevented from distributing food. The action was taken only to remove those who had encroached on hospital property. There is no connection between clearing encroachments and stopping food distribution, he said.

Muraleedharan clarified that voluntary organisations are free to provide meals to patients and their attendants, but no group would be allowed to occupy government land, erect large banners or project itself as the sole provider of services within hospital campuses. He said such activities would not be permitted in any government medical institution.

Referring to the developments at Alappuzha Medical College, the minister said the decision to implement a community kitchen and remove encroachments was taken by the Hospital Development Committee (HDC) following complaints received by the authorities. It was not a unilateral decision by the Health Department, he added. Similar action would be considered elsewhere only if comparable complaints were received.

The minister also said that neither political organisations nor voluntary groups, including the DYFI or Seva Bharati, had any right to use government property as their own or display banners inside medical college campuses. Any obstruction caused within hospital premises would invite action, irrespective of the organisation involved.

Muraleedharan further alleged that opposition to the government's decision could be linked to private diagnostic laboratories that had lost business after patients were provided better diagnostic facilities within medical colleges. He maintained that food distribution had no political or religious colour and reiterated that the government fully supports charitable initiatives, provided they are carried out without violating rules or encroaching on public property.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman