http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=031830
Cancer patients to get free treatment at GMC NT Staff Reporter Panaji March 17: The Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsingh Rane today informed that from the next financial year the government would provide free treatment to trauma as well as cancer patients at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, including expenses incurred on medicinal drugs. Speaking at a press briefing after the cabinet meeting, Mr Rane said that all the trauma patients would be provided with implants, to be made available at the newly opened unit at the GMC hospital. "The estimated annual expenses to be incurred on the implants would be around Rs 1 crore," he said, adding that special budgetary provision would be made for the purpose. All cancer patients would be provided with medicines through the GMC hospital pharmacy, Mr Rane pointed out. The Chief Minister also informed that an expression of interest would soon be floated for inviting interested parties to set up two new medical colleges in the state, one in each district. As per a report of the World Health Organisation, the state still requires two more medical colleges to take care of its medical needs, he said. Selected parties would have to invest the money as well as run these hospitals, it was informed. The state cabinet has put a ceiling of Rs 2 lakh on the Mediclaim Scheme, with the Health Minister empowered to clear any amount above Rs 2 lakh, under this scheme. Mr Rane also said the cabinet has decided not to provide electricity and water connections to illegal structures in the state. "A related circular would also be forwarded to all the village panchayats in the state, asking the panchayat authorities not to issue false certificates, illegal numbers, etc to the illegal structures in their respective jurisdictions," he informed. The Chief Minister further said that if needed, the government would acquire the land belonging to the landowners who raise illegal structures in their lands. Mr Rane informed that "the government proposes to amend Section 40 of the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Health Act, 1985, to provide a new sub-section (4-A) after sub-section (4) so as to empower the health officer, in addition to other powers conferred on him in terms of section 40 thereof, wherein the health officer can levy a fine of Rs 500, per day, on any person, for nuisance caused by him by way of improper drainage or due to overflowing of septic tank, etc, till such time the nuisance is abated or the occurrence thereof is stopped." The Chief Minister said that presently there is a provision in the Act to serve two notices, but no provision for punitive action on those responsible for the nuisance. The state cabinet has also decided to implement the state IT policy from March 1, 2006 and the necessary amendment has been carried out. "Other nitty-gritties like the price of land for setting up IT industries — Rs 4,000 per sq mts for the developed land and Rs 2,000 per sq mts for the raw land — payment of 30 per cent initial amount while investing in the IT sector and so on have also been finalised," Mr Rane disclosed. The government has further started land acquisition process for IT Park at Succor, Salvador de Mundo, which will be set up on the lines of the Dona Paula IT Park. An administrative training institute for junior cadre of the state government will also be set up at Ela, it was informed. The Health Minister, Mr Dayanand Narvekar and The Chief Secretary, Mr J P Singh were also present on the occasion. -- TUMCHER AXIRVAD ASSUM; DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England Comment: Very nice to provide free Cancer medical care, where is the come to come from?