Chandigarh: September 12 : Commenting on the utterances of Rajya Sabha M.P. Balwinder Singh Bhunder blaming Congress over the plight of Cancer ridden Malwa region, the Congress General Secretary Sh. Ram Pal Dhaipie asked Mr. Bhunder to stop playing politics over the grim situation. In a statement issued here today Sh. Dhaipie said that the health care and education are state subjects and the State Governments are responsible for remedial steps to be taken with regard to these problems. He said Cancer was a problem being faced by the region for so many years and during this period a number of times Akalis have been in power but none of them raised voice in favour of the cancer ridden people till the Congress leaders raised this issue in public during last few months. It is pity that the Akali leader has claimed about raising the question in Parliament by Mrs. Harsimrat Badal but he is not aware that she raised the issue only after we created public opinion both at Centre and State level.
The Congress General Secretary stated further that they have raised the issue at all levels from the State Government to Union Health Ministery and the Governor Punjab to Speaker Lok Sabha. The Leader of the Opposition Mrs. Bhattal met the Union Health Minister in this regard and Mrs. Ambika Soni talked to the Union Health Ministry and convinced them to form a Committee to study the situation and recommend solutions. Sh. Pawan Kumar Bansal Union Minister for Water resources sent a team of experts from Ground Water Board to study and give its report in this regard. The Union Minister Sh.M.S. Gill wrote a letter to the Prime Minister. He added that the Government of India has been doing its level best however the State Government headed by Akali Dal is shirking from its duty towards people of Malwa region.
Sh. Dhaipie advised Mr. Bhunder to stop playing politics over the poor cancer patients and rather convince his Government in the State to provide free and affordable medical facilities instead of setting up Five Star culture hospital like Max India in Bathinda.
