Invoking Dr BR Ambedkar while inaugurating an ESI Hospital in lucknow on Wednesday, Union Home minister Rajnath Singh said that the NDA government at the Centre was committed to following the path shown by Baba Saheb.
"We should thank Dr Ambedkar for this ESI hospital because the very concept was floated by him and working on the concept we have been able to get this super-specialty hospital in lucknow," the Union Home Minister said. What is more, he also played a crucial role in getting
the ESI Bill passed in Parliament," Singh said while addressing a crowd after inaugurating the hospital on the outskirts of lucknow.
The new hospital has been constructed at a cost of Rs 100 crores and will have 24x7 Emergency facility besides a state-of-the-art Trauma Centre. Singh's conspicuous reiteration of Dr Ambedkar on this occasion was not without its political connotations. In fact, teh BJp has beend desperately trying to bring the Dalits under its umbrella keeping an eye on the 2017 Assembly polls in UP. Using Dr Ambedkar’s name comes in handy in impressing upon the SCs and STs and win their confidence.
During his last visit to lucknow Rajnath Singh had visited the Ambedkar Mahasabha. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the Mahasabha office when he visited lucknow last.
Singh said that the NDA gvernment was committed to extending better health services to the poor so that they do not have to run from pillar to post to get medical facilities. "This hospital is a step in that direction," he said. The Home minister said that the Union government is
trying to extend social security to poor through Pradhan Mantri Beema Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana.
"These schemes will bring the poor masses under the social security umbrella in lieu of a minimum charge.
Once one is a member of these schemes, he will not have to think about future and the government will take care of his problems," Singh said.
"The Centre is also looking at different avenue to extend medical help and one of them is Ayush. We want that not only daiuly wagers of organised sectors but those from the unorganized sectors too get the facilities free of cost," said the Union minister.
On this occasion, Union labour minister Bandary Dattatray said that if the state government provided land, the Centre would construct more such hospitals across UP.
"Our target is to extend help to over 4.70 crore labourers in the unorganized sector. Our government is working hard to ensure better facilities to the poor and under-privileged people. These ESI hospitals will also have Yoga centres and will coach patients on methods of meditation," the Union labour minister said. Mayor Dinesh Sharma, MP Kaushal Kishore and local MlA Sharda Prasad Shukla were also present on the occasion.