Paresh Rawal apologises to Dr Kafeel Khan over 2017 remark
Mumbai, Oct 3: Actor and former BJP MP Paresh Rawal has apologised to paediatrician Kafeel Khan who was recently absolved of charges of medical negligence and corruption in connection with Gorakhpur's 2017 BRD hospital tragedy.
About 30 children had died at the hospital during the night of August 10, 2017 and 34 more over the next few days, officials had then said.
Many of the infants died allegedly because of disruption in oxygen supply on the night of August 10 due to pending payments to the supplier, a charge refuted by the state government.
Khan was accused of negligence, suspended and arrested following the outrage over the deaths. His suspension is yet to be revoked.
Principal Secretary (Stamp and Registration) Himanshu Kumar, who investigated Khan's case, absolved the doctor of any negligence.
On Tuesday, Khan demanded an apology from the Bollywood actor, quoting his August 2017 remarks wherein Rawal had called him a "hero in the eyes of ever active termite clan".
"I demand an apology from you. @SirPareshRawal sir. We are your fan, never thought you had closed-minded and obstinate attitude. Please read enquiry report which absolved me from negligence and corruption. Your bosses won't but I accept least this from you," he tweeted.
On Wednesday, Rawal posted his apology on Twitter, saying, "There is no shame in apologising when one is wrong... I apologise to @drkafeelkhan"
Khan accepted Rawal's apology and said, "Thank you @SirPareshRawal sir. I really appreciate that. It was something that hit me hard. We should also be sorry to those 70 parents who lost their kids in #BRDoxygenTragedy"
As per the investigation report, Dr Khan was neither the nodal medical officer in charge of encephalitis wards at BRD nor documents contesting the same provided by the department were adequate and consistent.
The report also states that Khan was not involved in the process of allotting tenders for oxygen supply amounting to corruption, or of medical negligence on his part on the day of the tragedy.
The report also says that Khan informed seniors about shortage of oxygen supply and arranged seven oxygen cylinders on the night of August 10-11, 2017.
There is no shame in apologising when one is wrong ... I apologise to @drkafeelkhan
— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) October 2, 2019
It’s an apology to @drkafeelkhan , not to ever active Termite Clan ! https://t.co/oLOvRhUblu
— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) October 2, 2019
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Karnataka govt seeks agency to manage rural drinking water units: Minister
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday said the state government is working to appoint an agency to manage clean drinking water units in rural areas.
The state Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister was responding to a question by Hirekerur MLA U B Banakar in the legislative assembly.
"In the rural areas of the state, many clean drinking water units have been set up under corporate social responsibility (CSR) grants, including contributions by MLAs and MPs, and handed over to gram panchayats. After the maintenance period, problems have arisen in keeping these units operational," Priyank said.
He added that a proposal has been made to award a maintenance contract to one of the country’s reputed drinking water unit manufacturing companies, but so far, no companies have come forward to take up the work.
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"The government is continuing its efforts and will resolve this problem soon," he said.
On a query regarding fluoride content in water, the minister said water quality testing is being conducted monthly in all zilla panchayats.
"Laboratories have been opened for this purpose. Around 6.5 lakh water samples have been tested across the state, and water testing kits have been provided to villages," he added.
