‘Medical negligence’ death: Development Minister directs SDM to monitor case

Haryana Minister for Development, Panchayat, Mining and Geology Krishan Lal Panwar has constituted a committee to fix compensation for the damage caused to an eye of a patient during a cataract surgery at the Rohtak PGIMS.

The minister was hearing a complaint in this regard lodged by Raju Singh, a resident of Ismaila 9-B village in the district, while chairing the monthly meeting of the District Grievances Committee in Rohtak on Friday.

“The committee will comprise Rohtak Additional Deputy Commissioner, Civil Surgeon, an eye specialist and an accounts officer,” said Panwar. Regarding a complaint lodged by Jhajjar resident Shamsher Singh against a Rohtak-based private hospital owned by a local BJP leader, the minister asserted that the complainant would get justice.

The complainant had alleged that negligence by the hospital staff had led to the death of his wife.

The Civil Surgeon said the Medical Negligence Board would take the final decision regarding the matter on September 19.

The minister asked the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Rohtak to monitor the matter. He heard all 20 complaints included in the agenda of the meeting, as well as some others.

A ruckus was created during the meeting as an elderly woman and a girl trying to approach the minister, but were stopped by the women police personnel present there. Panwar intervened, and listened to the grievance of the complainants. He assured them of prompt action on their complaint, and instantly gave necessary directions to the officials concerned.

Listening to the complaint of Bhaini Maharajpur village Sarpanch Darshana Devi and Sampla resident Neeraj, the minister directed the officials concerned of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to fill potholes on the highway passing through the villages.

Panwar asked Rohtak ADC Narendra Kumar to find out whether the toll tax of residents of villages falling within a 20-km radius of Makdauli and Dighal toll plazas had been completely waived, or if they were getting the facility of monthly concession passes.

“If the toll tax has been completely waived at the toll plazas, then the toll tax of the residents of villages located within a radius of Chandi Toll Plaza will also be waived,” the minister said.

He directed NHAI officials to paste the list of villages included in the 20-km radius on all toll plazas of the district, and issue identity cards to the employees deployed at these.

Panwar said the Chief Minister had entrusted him with the work of Haryana Pond Authority. “There are nearly 16,000 ponds in the state and, of these, around 6,000 are filled with silt. The government will undertake the work of improvement of 2,200 ponds this year,” he said.

Rohtak Mayor Ram Avtar Valmiki, Zila Parishad Chairperson Manju Hooda, Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dr Anand Sharma and Superintendent of Police Narendra Bijarnia were among the attendees of the programme.