Kerala Kaumudi impact: Free power for life-support equipment to resume

THRISSUR: The government has moved swiftly following a Kerala Kaumudi report that a five-year-old order providing completely free electricity for life-support equipment installed in homes had not been implemented by KSEB employees.

The Health and Electricity Ministers have instructed the concerned departments to take the necessary action. Minister K. Muraleedharan told Kerala Kaumudi that he had sought details of the matter from the department secretary and that the scheme would be resumed at the earliest to address the concerns of patients and their families, particularly those from ordinary households.

‘The scheme will not be discontinued again’: Electricity Minister

Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph said preliminary departmental inquiries had been conducted into the scheme and assured that it would not be discontinued again.

He said instructions had also been issued for a detailed examination of the scheme, including the cost that would be incurred by the Electricity Department for its implementation.

The scheme provides free electricity for electrically operated equipment required for bedridden patients, including air beds, suction machines and oxygen concentrators. Kerala Kaumudi reported that the scheme had been discontinued in most parts of the state, pointing to the apathy and mismanagement of officials as the reason.

“I will discuss the matter with the Electricity Minister as well. A solution will be found soon.”

— Minister K. Muraleedharan

“There will be coordination among the concerned departments. The issue will be resolved on an urgent basis.”

— Minister Sunny Joseph