The government's revenue will increase in various ways from this April. The fair value of the land has been increased by 20 percent. In this way, a good amount of money will reach the government's exchequer every year when land registrations take place. In addition, the revenue will increase further with the building tax, fines and tax for making alterations in buildings. The revenue will rise to crores through the cess on fuel and liquor. The additional amounts collected in this way should not be spent only on paying the salaries of government officials. A certain percentage of the additional revenue should also be used to provide assistance to the poor in the state.

In the health sector, the government can provide enormous quantities of free assistance to the people. It should first provide help to the Hridhyam scheme in Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology. Kerala Kaumudi has published a detailed report in this regard as its main story the other day. The news article mainly points out the fact that it has been two years since 'Hridhyam', a heart disease treatment scheme for children, has come to a halt in Sree Chitra which provides the best treatment for heart disease in the state. This project is remaining frozen in the hospital for two years at a time when around 4000 children are born with heart diseases every year in the state. This can only be seen as criminal negligence. It is regrettable that even though the hospital authorities have tried to restart the project from the next financial year, there has been no favourable action from the government. In the government sector, the Hridhyam scheme is continuing in Kottayam and Kozhikode medical colleges as well as SAT. Amrita Hospital in Kochi has also been empanelled in this project. Therefore, children will be provided free treatment, including heart surgery, in that hospital as well. Amrita has the most modern medical facilities. Sree Chitra is a hospital operating in the public sector that can provide equivalent treatment.

The 'Hridhyam' scheme in Sree Chitra came to a halt during the Covid period. The hospital was removed from the empanel list because of some disagreements between the governing body and the government at that time. This is not a scheme that should come to a halt due to the difference in opinions between some people. With the Sree Chitra governing body once again approaching the government, the government might take a favourable decision keeping in mind that many poor families will receive help. The Health Minister should take initiative for this. Rs 14 crores are being spent on the Hridhyam project. 60 percent of this will be provided by the Centre. So the government does not face the problem of a huge financial loss. Infants with critical cardiac conditions could be shifted to Sree Chitra very quickly from the SAT Hospital, where complicated deliveries are conducted. As Hridhyam at Sri Chitra has stopped, this also has come to a halt. Hopefully, the government will come to a favourable decision in this regard, at least for the children fighting for life.