Shimla, April 13 (IANS). A delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) met Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta at the Raj Bhavan on Monday. During this, he submitted a memorandum opposing two important decisions of the state government, calling them ‘anti-people and impractical’.
BJP leaders have expressed concern over the proposed move to shift the gynecology department from the century-old Kamala Nehru Hospital to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH), saying the move could adversely impact maternal and newborn health services in the state.
He further said that Kamala Nehru Hospital has been serving as an important healthcare institution for women and newborns for almost a century.
The BJP said the process was being done through a ‘quiet transfer’ mechanism without any formal notification or adequate planning.
“IGMCH is already functioning beyond its capacity. Forcefully setting up a 300-bed specialized facility in an overloaded institution will jeopardize healthcare delivery and patient safety,” the delegation said.
The memorandum also highlighted that more than Rs 20 crore of public funds had been invested in the upgradation of Kamla Nehru Hospital, which was now at risk of becoming ineffective.
The BJP also expressed concern over the possible alternative use of the hospital land and demanded a transparent investigation into the matter.
Furthermore, the delegation objected to the steep increase in pass fees for restricted and regulated roads in Shimla.
According to the BJP, the proposed amendment increases the processing fee from Rs 100 to Rs 500 and the pass fee from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000, which will put a huge financial burden on residents, traders and employees.
The party termed the move as ‘arbitrary and revenue-driven’ and said such measures would create unnecessary hardship and public discontent.
It was also criticized for containing harsh penal provisions, including heavy fines and possible imprisonment, as disproportionate and contrary to democratic norms.
The BJP urged the Governor to take cognizance of both the issues and direct the state government to maintain the existing services at Kamla Nehru Hospital and withdraw the proposed increase in the pass fee.
The delegation, including the party’s state general secretary Sanjeev Katwal, media coordinator Karan Nanda and treasurer Kamal Sood, concluded by saying that the BJP would intensify its agitation against the decisions of the state government which it described as ‘anti-people’.
–IANS
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