Protection panel to meet PM

The JIPMER protection committee has decided to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Minster for health and family welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad, to seek withdrawal of the user charges for tests and investigations in JIPMER hospital. Committee president and senior CPM leader T Murugan told reporters on Wednesday that the appointments have been sought for either August 29 or August 30.

He said that a representation of JIPMER protection committee, consisting of various political parties including the ruling All India NR Congress, would meet both along with leaders like Sushma Swaraj (BJP), T K Rangarajan (CPM), D Raja (CPI), Thol Thirumavalavan (VCK) and AIADMK MP Thambidurai to press for the withdrawal of the user charges levied on the patients.