Ranchi, March 11: A heated debate erupted in the Jharkhand Assembly during the budget session on Wednesday, focusing on the grant demands of the health, food supply, and disaster management departments. The opposition criticized the state’s health system, claiming it is in disarray, while Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari announced several ambitious plans to expand medical infrastructure in the state.
Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi initiated the discussion, labeling the government’s budget as ‘copy-paste’. He accused the government of focusing solely on constructing new buildings while neglecting the vacant positions for doctors and teachers in hospitals.
Marandi pointed out that although there is significant promotion of air ambulances, in reality, basic ambulances are unavailable in villages, forcing people to carry patients on their shoulders. He also opposed the acquisition of fertile agricultural land in urban areas for projects like RIMS-2, suggesting that barren land should be utilized instead. Additionally, he called for an investigation into the case of infected blood transfusions in Chaibasa and better facilities for children suffering from thalassemia. The opposition also raised concerns about discrepancies in the public distribution system and the dominance of middlemen in rice procurement.
In response to the opposition’s allegations, Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari reiterated the government’s commitment to modernizing health services. He announced the opening of new medical colleges in Jamtara, Giridih, Dhanbad, and Khunti in the first phase, with plans for additional colleges in Godda, Sahibganj, and Seraikela.
The minister revealed that RIMS-2 will be constructed in Itki, and a special medical university will be established in Brambe. Furthermore, a ‘Medico City’ will be developed in the state to prevent residents from seeking treatment for serious illnesses in other states. To provide relief to the public, the minister announced that all pregnant women in the state will now receive free ultrasound services.
Additionally, ‘Abua Medicine Stores’ will be opened in rural areas to provide affordable medicines. To address the shortage of medical staff, large-scale recruitment of ANMs and GNM nurses will be conducted soon. Modern facilities such as PET scans, cath labs, and MRI machines will be installed in medical colleges. New high-tech ambulances equipped with location tracking systems will be purchased to improve emergency services, with control rooms located in Dumka and Jamtara.
On the food supply front, the minister stated that payments for rice procurement are being made directly to farmers’ accounts, and the distribution of clothing at subsidized rates for the poor will continue.