(a) the total number of military canteens functioning in the country, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the Government proposes to set up a military canteen in Kerala;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the ECHS polyclinics at Kottarakkara and Mavelikara in Kerala are functioning properly; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor and the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)
(a) There are 3751 Unit Run Canteens (URCs) functioning in the country. The details of the State wise / UT wise URCs are given at annexure ‘A’.
(b) & (c): Already 31 canteens are functioning in Kerala. At present there is no proposal to open a new URC in Kerala.
(d) & (e): Yes, Madam. Both the ECHS Polyclinics are functioning properly under Regional Centre Trivandrum. However, availability of medicines continues to remain a major cause of concern in Polyclinics for which Officer-in-Charge, ECHS is also authorized to purchase life saving / emergent medicines locally if the same are not available with the Polyclinic.