Beef up healthcare services in HP: Jai Ram Thakur advises state govt after ruckus at hospital
Shimla (PTI): Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday said the state government should take concrete steps to prevent overcrowding at hospitals, enhance security arrangements, reduce excessive workload and curb administrative negligence, which he held responsible for the assault of a patient by a doctor at a prominent hospital here.
In a statement issued here, Thakur said that this incident is a serious warning to the health department and the state government.
His statement came a day after a junior resident doctor allegedly assaulted a patient, throwing multiple punches, following an argument at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), sparking a protest with the victim's relatives demanding that the doctor be handed over to them.
A video of the shocking incident also surfaced on social media.
The leader of the opposition said the government should take concrete steps instead of making statements.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating condition of the healthcare sector in Himachal Pradesh, Thakur said today, the people are suffering due to this collapse in the sector.
"The state government should prioritise healthcare services and should immediately fill vacant posts in the sector. They should also strengthen security arrangements in hospitals and ensure uninterrupted supply of medicines and medical equipment in hospitals,” he added.
He further said that the state government should work honestly to ensure that the benefits of central schemes are provided to every person in Himachal Pradesh.
"Schemes such as Himcare and Ayushman Bharat should be ensured for the people, as they are very beneficial for poor and needy families as well as for the middle-class people. However, due to negligence and mismanagement of the government in implementing them, people are unable to avail the benefits,” Thakur said.
He also alleged that, despite the budget being allocated by the Centre for these schemes, patients are unable to avail the basic facilities.
The situation is such that even many essential medicines are not available for patients, he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BJP 'favours only rich' while we care for poor: CM Siddaramaiah
Davanagere (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing it of "favouring the rich", while asserting that his government stands firmly with the poor.
Interacting with reporters after a campaign event in Davanagere South constituency, Siddaramaiah said the BJP subscribes to an economic model that benefits the wealthy, while the Congress government is committed to welfare measures aimed at uplifting the underprivileged.
“There are two economic theories – Trickle down theory and Universal Basic Income theory. BJP supports trickle-down—meaning they favour the rich. While we believe in Universal Basic Income, which supports the poor,” he said.
The CM said the public response to the ongoing campaign had exceeded expectations and reflected growing awareness among voters.
“In the campaign, people are responding beyond our expectations. People have realised that the BJP, despite being in power for four years, did nothing,” he said, alleging that the previous government “carried out no development work and only looted the state.”
Defending the government’s flagship guarantee schemes, Siddaramaiah said they have been implemented successfully over the past three years and have restored public confidence.
“Every year, we are spending around Rs 52,000 crore. Up to March 31, Rs 1.31 lakh crore has been spent. So there is no question about these schemes—we will continue them,” he said, dismissing the BJP’s claims that the programmes would bankrupt the state.
Rejecting criticism over rising debt, he said borrowings remain well within permissible limits. He added that the state’s fiscal deficit is also under control at 2.95 per cent, in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act norms.
The Chief Minister attributed the revenue deficit to reduced central transfers rather than welfare spending.
According to him, Karnataka lost around Rs 10,000 crore due to changes in GST implementation and the Centre had not released Rs 11,495 crore in dues and grants.
On allegations of corruption in welfare schemes, Siddaramaiah said the charges were "baseless" as funds are directly transferred to beneficiaries.
“The money is directly transferred to beneficiaries’ accounts. Where is the scope for bribes?” he said, citing the Gruha Lakshmi scheme under which Rs 2,000 is credited to women beneficiaries.
He also countered claims regarding unpaid dues to contractors, saying the previous BJP government had left behind significant liabilities.
“They left Rs 29,000 crore unpaid. We have already cleared Rs 24,000 crore,” he said.
Responding to BJP state president B Y Vijayendra’s demands for a White Paper on the state’s finances, Siddaramaiah said all details had already been presented in the Budget and debated in the Assembly.
“Why ask for a White Paper again? Isn’t the Budget itself a White Paper?” he said, adding that he had replied to the discussion for over four-and-a-half hours.
On fuel pricing amid global uncertainties, including tensions involving Iran, the Chief Minister said petroleum pricing is under the Centre’s purview.
Reaffirming the government’s stand on social justice, Siddaramaiah said it is committed to internal reservation and criticised the BJP’s stance on AHINDA, which is an acronym for minorities, backward and Dalits.
“When did the BJP ever show concern for AHINDA? They only talk about Hindutva,” he said.
On employment, the CM announced that large-scale recruitment would continue despite concerns over finances.
“This year, we will fill 56,432 posts. Around 2.5 lakh vacant posts will be filled,” he said.
Addressing concerns over the functioning of the Karnataka Public Service Commission, Siddaramaiah said it is an independent body and that certain interviews were postponed to ensure transparency and proper procedure.
