Govt on back foot after minister's 'unruly' behaviour

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 30

After drawing flak from the left, right and the centre for the “unruly” behaviour of the Health and Medical Education Minister, Chetan Singh Jouramajra, the state government seems to have gone on the back foot. The Opposition parties, including the Congress, BJP and the SAD, condemned the act in unison.

Expert flays Jouramajra

The derogatory behaviour of a Health Minister with a man at the highest pedestal of academics makes us feel that we are being ruled by the likes of a Taliban state. Dr Ramesh Sen, President, Indian Orthopaedic Association

SAD EXTENDS SUPPORT TO DOCS

Have spoken to Dr Bahadur & expressed solidarity with him besides assuring full support to medical fraternity, which is being targeted by AAP. — Sukhbir Badal, SAD Chief

Ex-CM Capt Amarinder Singh said the atrocious behaviour of the minister was unacceptable. “He should be sacked immediately. This is a test for Bhagwant Mann to restore the confidence of the medical community.”

BJP leader Sunil Jakhar asked Mann to act like a CM and sack the minister. “Everything required to restore the dignity of Dr Raj Bahadur and the institution he headed must be done forthright.”

Meanwhile, PCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring visited Dr Bahadur at the Regional Spinal Injuries Centre (RSIC), Mohali, and expressed solidarity. SAD leader Daljit Cheema too visited the VC. “Even after the worse treatment, the noble man was attending his patients today,” he tweeted.

Reacting to the incident, AAP chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang said it was unfortunate but how the Opposition was doing cheap politics was equally unfortunate. “The Health Minister was also distressed to find out about the dilapidated condition of the beds and lack of cleanliness at the hospital.”

“He did not want to disrespect anyone but the AAP government won’t tolerate any laxity in the system.”

Dr Arun Mitra, senior vice-president, Indian Doctors for Peace and Development and ex-chairman, Ethical Committee, Punjab Medical Council, and Dr GS Grewal, ex-chief, Punjab Medical Council, also condemned the minister’s behaviour. “Dr Bahadur is a surgeon par excellence. The ills in the healthcare system are because of the poor funding by the government and not because of the VC,” they said.

Teachers of the Faridkot medical college also criticised the minister.

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#Chetan Singh Jouramajra