Opposition slams Bhagwant Mann Govt over renaming ‘present’ well being services as Aam Aadmi clinics
Chandigarh, January 27
Opposition events in Punjab on Friday described the opening of ‘Aam Aadmi’ clinics within the state as a “publicity stunt”, saying it was a basic case of outdated wine in new bottle as the federal government was solely renaming the present well being services.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday launched 400 extra Aam Aadmi clinics, taking the entire variety of these neighbourhood well being centres to 500 within the state.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, in an announcement, mentioned these clinics appeared extra like Aam Aadmi Social gathering (AAP) workplaces and extension counters than well being centres.
He mentioned the AAP-led state authorities was solely renaming the already present services as Aam Aadmi clinics as its objective was extra to achieve “political mileage” than present well being care to the individuals.
Warring requested why these clinics had been named as Aam Aadmi clinics with the chief minister’s {photograph} moderately than as “authorities clinics”.
“Who’s paying for it, the federal government or the AAP?” he requested whereas asserting that these clinics must be renamed.
“Initially, there was no have to open such clinics as Punjab already has a strong healthcare system which was proved by the truth that the federal government was solely renaming the present well being services and superimposing the get together’s identify on them which is prohibited,” he mentioned.
Senior Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa mentioned “superficial” and “half-hearted” measures wouldn’t be adequate to make Punjab a ‘Rangla’ (vibrant) state.
It’s a well-known indisputable fact that government-run dispensaries, particularly in rural areas, and civil hospitals are an image of absolute neglect, and sufferers and their attendants have been constantly demanding upgradation of those medical services, he mentioned.
“Nevertheless, as a substitute of bettering and investing within the aforesaid shortcomings, the AAP authorities is spending crores of rupees of the state exchequer to deck up these so-called mohalla clinics in order that they give the impression of being outwardly good in look,” he mentioned.
President All India Kissan Congress and Bholath MLA, Sukhpal Singh Khaira additionally objected to naming the centres as ‘aam aadmi clinics’.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Bikram Singh Majithia mentioned Kejriwal had in 2019 mentioned that the AAP didn’t imagine in altering names, however making lives higher.
“Nevertheless, in Punjab, the get together is doing the alternative. It first turned 100 Seva Kendra buildings into mohalla clinics. Now, it has turned 500 main well being centre buildings into ‘aam aadmi Clinics,” he mentioned.
In the meantime, the SGPC in Amritsar accused the AAP authorities of fixing the identify of Panj Piara well being centres right here into Aam Aadmi clinics.
The manager committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) additionally handed a decision strongly condemning it.
SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami mentioned on the three hundredth anniversary of ‘Khalsa Sajna Diwas’, 5 well being centres had been established by the Akali authorities in Amritsar within the identify of ‘Panj Piaras’ (5 beloved ones), which had been modified as Aam Aadmi clinics by the AAP authorities.
He mentioned it’s an insult to memorials of the Sikh neighborhood.