CM’s poser on poor facilities sends health staff in a tizzy

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 12

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today held a Sangat Darshan for border village residents in Attari. The programme was largely attended by residents of the area.

Lack of coordination between various government wings came to the fore as officials present on the spot could hardly reply queries regarding poor civic amenities and inadequate health services in this border Assembly segment.

Badal had to face embarrassment when the residents informed him that medical services at the “24X7 primary health centres” were not available after 5 pm.

The CM questioned the medical officials present there, but they could not respond satisfactorily. Badal then rang up health officials in Chandigarh, but again failed to get any convincing reply.

He said these centres were meant to remain open 24 hours and the department must ensure availability of doctors and medical facilities round-the-clock.

He admitted there could be lacunae in the system and the purpose of holding Sangat Darshan was to fill the communication gap. “I am here to get firsthand experience of the problems being faced by the residents. The administrative machinery needs to be revamped,” he said. Terming border area residents as true patriots for living under the shadow of fear and uncertainty, the CM said all deras and dhanis would be covered under the domestic power supply scheme in urban areas.

Badal said the government was giving relief of Rs 3,000 per acre per annum to the farmers having land across the border fence.

Earlier in Rajataal village, he asked police officials to nab drug peddlers and ensure that no harassment and injustice was done to those who had given up such acts and were leading a normal life. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike, Special Principal Secretary Ajoy Sharma, IG Ishwar Chander and Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat.