Feel like we are living in Pakistan: AAP MLA claims discrimination over health centres in Moga
Chandigarh, Mar 25 (PTI): AAP MLA Devinderjeet Singh Laddi Dhose on Tuesday alleged "step-motherly" treatment to Moga, citing a lack health-related facilities in the district.
"Why is there discrimination against Moga? I feel like we are living in Pakistan," Dharamkot legislator Dhose said.
Dhose made the remark during the Question Hour of the budget session in the state Assembly.
His outburst came after Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh replied to his question that there was no proposal to upgrade the Dharamkot PHC (primary health centre) to a sub-divisional hospital under the consideration of the government.
The facility is under the community health centre Kot Ise Khan, located eight km away, replied the minister.
Singh also said there was no proposal to open a trauma centre in Dharamkot.
"There are already five trauma centres functioning in the state of Punjab, which are functioning in Jalandhar, Pathankot, Khanna, Ferozepur and Fazilka," the minister said.
After receiving the minister's replies, Dhose said the Dharamkot constituency (which is in Moga district) is a backward area.
"We are also the residents of Punjab, and our district is Moga. Not even one health-related project has been given to the Dharamkot constituency by our government. In Kot Ise Khan CHC, only two out of eight posts of MBBS doctors have been filled yet.
"Step-motherly treatment has been meted out to Moga. Earlier, 300 specialist doctors were recruited, and of them, only four doctors were given to Moga. Now, out of 255 MBBS doctors, only four have been given to Moga. Malerkotla is a small district and 28 MBBS doctors have been posted there as compared to four doctors given to Moga," he lamented.
"I want to ask why this discrimination is against Moga, whether Moga is part of Punjab. I feel like perhaps we are living in Pakistan," the MLA said.
The health minister informed the House that the Dharamkot constituency has a population of 24,000 population comprising 50 villages
A CHC is set up in an area where the population is over 1.25 lakh, and a sub-divisional hospital is set up if the population is over 10 lakh, he said, adding, Moga doesn't pass the criterion.
He also pointed out that Moga has a district hospital.
Earlier, AAP MLA from Mohali Kulwant Singh questioned the health minister about the deployment of health staff and other facilities in a new dispensary in Sector 69 and the completion of work on a dispensary building in Sector 79 of Mohali district.
Replying to the MLA's question, Singh informed the House that the health staff had been deployed temporarily at the buildings constructed to start dispensaries in Sector 69 and the adjacent Saneta village.
"The work of building of Urban Primary Health Centre at Sector 79 is under construction, revised detailed estimates of the remaining work have been calculated at Rs 151.03 lakh. After receiving the funds, the work is expected to start in six months and to be completed in about six months, that is, in about 12 months," the minister said.
The Mohali MLA responded by saying he heard otherwise.
"... had my people there (Sector 69 dispensary) till 9 am. No staff member came. Tell me when these dispensaries will be made functional. Till today, they are not operational. The staff strength is not complete. And with temporary staff, better health facilities cannot be provided," he said.
The minister, in his response, said, "It is possible that his (MLA) people gave information at 9 am and the staff may have reached 9.05 and 9.10 am."
Singh even provided names of the health staff, comprising a doctor, a pharmacist, a lab technician and a staff nurse deployed at the dispensary, to counter the MLA's claims.
"I have all the whole list. I also got it confirmed from the Director, Health Services and the secretary then I gave the statement," he said.
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.
Will vacate one of two assembly seats won in 10 days: BJP''s Suvendu
Kolkata (PTI): BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur and secured Nandigram for three times in a row in the recent assembly polls, said on Wednesday that he would vacate one of the two constituencies within 10 days.
Adhikari also asserted that the party's central leadership would decide which constituency he would retain.
"I will vacate one seat within 10 days. The party will decide which one I retain. I will not forget my responsibility towards the people of Bhabanipur and Nandigram," he said.
Adhikari on Monday defeated Banerjee in Bhabanipur by over 15,000 votes, puncturing what was long seen as her safest political refuge and delivering a decisive psychological blow to the TMC, amid a sweeping BJP surge across West Bengal.
Addressing party workers and supporters in Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district, the BJP leader appealed to them not to take out victory processions immediately and instead maintain peace.
"Do not take out victory rallies now. Maintain peace and discipline. Celebrate after May 9, after taking permission," he told party workers.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Wednesday announced that the oath-taking ceremony of the new government will be held on May 9 at Brigade Parade Ground.
Referring to alleged attacks on BJP workers during the TMC regime, Adhikari said he would not forget the “atrocities" faced by them and assured them of taking appropriate action against perpetrators through legal processes.
"I was part of the 2011 ‘poribartan’ (change), and now I am part of the real change. I offer my gratitude to the people of Nandigram," Adhikari said.
He was referring to the TMC's victory in 2011 when the Mamata Banerjee party dismantled the 34-year Left Front regime in the state.
Adhikari offered prayers at a Hanuman statue in Nandigram and remembered the BJP workers, who had died in political violence.
"We will work in such a way that the BJP government in Bengal stays for 100 years," he said, expressing hope that the BJP’s vote share in the state would rise from the current 46 per cent to 60 per cent in future elections.
The BJP leader also assured residents of Nandigram of improved drinking water supply and better hospital and education infrastructure.
