29 Jul 2009, 0346 hrs IST

Kerala News: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The state government has earmarked Rs three crores for providing emergency medical facilities to those affected with viral fever in the districts of Kozhikode and Kannur.

Talking to newspersons after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said free ration for one month would be provided to affected poor persons in the two districts.

The decision was taken in the wake of rising viral fever cases in the two districts, he said, adding, the government had also asked the panchayats to conduct cleanliness drive. ''The cabinet also decided to provide educational concession to children of fishermen studying in the self-financing colleges. They need only to pay the fees given by the SC/ST children,'' he said.

Stating that the government had also decided to implement pension scheme for Anganwadi workers and helpers, he said the workers and the helpers would get a monthly pension of Rs 500 and Rs 300 respectively from September.

When asked about the issues relating to the self-financing fees structure and other issues, he said talks would be held with the concerned persons and a decision would be taken soon.