‘Feels like living in Pakistan’: Punjab MLA attacks own government over health facilities
Laddi Dhose alleged "step-motherly" treatment to Moga, citing a lack of health-related facilities in the district.
Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party government is facing criticism from its own lawmaker, with Dharamkot MLA Devinderjeet Singh Laddi Dhose on Tuesday comparing the health facilities in Moga district with that of Pakistan.
Laddi Dhose alleged "step-motherly" treatment to Moga, citing a lack of health-related facilities in the district.
"Why is there discrimination against Moga? I feel like we are living in Pakistan," PTI quoted Dhose as saying in the state assembly.
Health has been a primary promise of the Bhagwant Mann government, with the chief minister vowing to establish world-class health facilities in the state on the ‘Delhi model’.
The MLA later clarified his remarks, saying that the party leaders have always encouraged the raising of strong voices on issues.
"The situation is not bad; I had said that we need more doctors and that our hospital should be upgraded. Our leaders have always encouraged us to raise our voices strongly," he told news agency IANS.
Outburst over upgrading Dharamkot Primary health centre
The 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.
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.
Laddi Dhose alleged a ‘step-motherly treatment’ for Moga district, pointing out that out of 300 specialist doctors recruited by the government, only four doctors were given to the district.
“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. 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 lamented.
Replying to the outburst, the health minister said that a community health centre (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. According to him, Moga doesn't pass the criterion. He also pointed out that Moga has a district hospital.
