The Bengal Opposition has advised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to “first mind her own business” by putting a lid on the “rampant corruption in the State Health Department of which she happens to be the minister in-charge before lecturing Centre after the former shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to roll-back in the hiked price of eight life saving drugs.
“I urge upon your kind office to issue directions to the concerned ministry to immediately reconsider the decision on the price escalation in the overall interest of the health and wellbeing of the common people,” the Chief Minister wrote to the Prime Minister saying “the welfare of the citizens” should “of paramount importance” for the Government.
“Perhaps, our aim ought to be preserving a balanced approach that respects both commercial viability and the citizen's right to affordable healthcare. The welfare of the citizens is of paramount importance, and all the stakeholders must align the policies to reflect this commitment. Looking forward to your urgent and kind consideration,” the two-page letter said.
Bengal Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari promptly hit back saying the Chief Minister should first mid her own business before lecturing the Centre. “The entire Government departments in have rotted … the Health and Education sector are brimming with corruption … and her own party men are the main pivot of that corruption raj which is why the junior doctors and the people in general have descended on the streets today … she has no right to write sermons before cleaning her own backyard,” the BJP leader said.
A 50 percent hike in price of eight essential drugs was earlier green-signaled by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) a government-controlled agency responsible for availability of essential drugs at affordable price.
When asked whether the Trinamool Congress would use the price hike issue in the November 13 Assembly elections to six seats, senior party leader Kunal Ghosh said that the people were smart conscious enough to differentiate between a friend a foe and a pseudo friend apparently indicating the Trinmaool Congress, BJP and the Left adding, his party would raise the issue in public.
