Chennai, On Sunday, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa announced a financial assistance of 3 lakh each to 23 persons who suffered infection after a cataract surgery at the Salem District Headquarters Government Hospital last month.

Also, a pension of 1,000 per month would be given to 21 persons whose vision was affected.

Per year, under the National Programme for Control of Blindness, around 5.5 lakh persons are undergoing cataract operation in Tamil Nadu and the State has been in the forefront in preventing blindness, said an official release.

So far 1.96 lakh persons have undergone cataract operation during the current year and all of them have good vision.

For the poor, cataract operation is being performed free of cost in all government hospitals.

Cataract operation was performed between June 14 and 16 at Mettur hospital and a few had suffered infection in their eyes. Due to this 23 persons were given further treatment at Aravind Eye hospital at Coimbatore, Agarwal Eye Hospital in Salem and Mohan Kumaramangalam government medical college hospital in Salem.

After treatment, vision was restored to two persons while infection has been brought under control for 17 more persons. On information, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had deputed State Ministers K Palanisamy, SP Velumani and C Vijaya Baskar to meet the affected persons and ensure quality treatment to them.