Kerala Congress Calls for Revival of Karunya Benevolent Fund in New Protest Campaign

Quick Summary:

• The Kerala Congress led by P.J. Joseph has announced a State-wide protest demanding the reinstatement of the Karunya Benevolent Fund, a healthcare assistance scheme introduced under the previous UDF government.
• The party’s youth wing, Kerala Youth Front (KYF), will begin its protests on July 15, with an inauguration in Kottayam led by P.J.Joseph. Subsequent protests will occur in Kollam,Alappuzha,Idukki,Thrissur,and Kozhikode.
• KYF criticized the LDF government for discontinuing the fund, citing financial burdens on patients due to out-of-pocket medical expenses and lack of infrastructure at government hospitals.
• The institution highlighted issues such as insufficient beds and basic facilities in medical colleges and demanded urgent improvements.
• The Karunya Benevolent Fund was launched by K.M.Mani during his tenure as Finance Minister under the UDF regime, offering up to ₹5 lakh annual assistance per economically disadvantaged family.
• A veteran Kerala Congress leader stated that this protest serves to highlight how a flagship programme initiated by K.M. Mani is being neglected even under a government backed by his own party members.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The call for reinstating the Karunya Benevolent Fund reflects broader concerns about healthcare equity and accessibility in Kerala-traditionally regarded as one of India’s more advanced states in terms of public health systems. Discontinuation of such schemes appears to have aggravated challenges faced by economically vulnerable groups who now bear significant financial pressure amid dwindling support from public hospitals.

This movement could ignite political debates around prioritization within state budgets while also spotlighting inter-party tensions within factions like Kerala Congress (M). Healthcare remains a sensitive issue with implications that transcend partisanship; adequate action might set precedents not just for other states but also for voter expectations ahead of elections.

The alignment between social policy demands and internal political rivalries underscores nuanced governance dynamics that are often overlooked when schemes like these are sidelined during regime changes-a recurring pattern across India’s federal structure.read More: Published – July 09, 2025 07:25 pm IST