A one per cent cess would be levied on annual turnover of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation to mobilise the fund for supplying generic medicines free, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters after a cabinet meeting here today.
The scheme would be implemented from November 1, the state formation day. Generic medicines were already supplied free to patients in government hospitals and the new scheme was to distribute these medicines to other poor people, he said.
In view of spread of various types of fever with the onset of monsoon in parts of the state, the cabinet decided to augment staff strength in district level hospitals by appointing temporary hands for six months, Chandy said.
More than 1900 health workers, including 209 doctors, would be appointed on a temporary basis in 14 districts by a committee headed by District Medical Officer, State Health Minister V S Shivakumar said.
Government would also ensure that necessary medicines were available in government hospitals, he added.
On other cabinet decisions, Chandy said it has been decided to increase subsidy for fertilisers in view of the rise in prices of fertilisers.
In the case of paddy cultivation, subsidy has been increased from Rs 1500 per hectare to Rs 4000 and for Banana farmers, the government would pay a subsidy of Rs 1000 per hectare. This was in addition to the Rs three per plant, the Horticulture Corporation was extending, he said.
