In HP assembly, BJP corners govt on healthcare issues; questions purchase of multi-crore robotic surgery machines

Shimla: BJP legislators, on the 12th day of the ongoing Budget session of the Himachal Pradesh assembly on Saturday, targeted the state govt over gaps in healthcare infrastructure, shortage of medical staff, purchase of multi-crore robotic surgery machines, and unfulfilled budget promises. They also raised concerns over the reported move to phase out the Himcare health scheme launched by the previous BJP regime.Speaking during the cut motion on health and family welfare department, BJP MLAs Pawan Kajal and Vipin Singh Parmar, highlighted repeated failures in quality tests of medicines produced in Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN), questioning the govt's inaction. Parmar called for stricter policies to promote generic medicines and urged the upgrade of the Kandaghat laboratory.Leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur criticised chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu over his "baseless claims" in the assembly regarding the Himcare scheme. Dsimissing the CM's claim that an internal audit uncovered bills generated for ovarian surgeries performed on men, he asserted that the misinformation stemmed from improper briefing and clarified that the treatments in question were conducted under Himcare package "Code M003", listed as "CT for CA Ovary". According to Thakur, this category is used for treating patients suffering from rare cancers that lack a defined treatment protocol. Thakur emphasised that Himcare has benefitted lakhs of poor patients and urged the govt not to undermine the scheme simply because it was introduced by the BJP. He suggested correcting any irregularities rather than discontinuing the programme. BJP legislators also questioned the govt's expenditure on robotic surgery machines in all medical colleges, arguing that crores spent on such high-end equipment could have been better used to upgrade other essential hospital facilities.Rs 44,519 cr funds from Centre in last 3 yrsThe National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) sanctioned 331 projects worth Rs 2,513 crore for Himachal Pradesh in the last three years upto Jan 31 this year, informed the CM in response to a question by BJP MLAs Sudhir Sharma, Vinod Kumar and Randhir Sharma. He added that the central govt also provided Rs 44,519 crore funds to the hill state under various heads during the same period.On this, leader of the opposition said the Congress govt keep on levelling false allegations that the central govt is not providing funds to the state but the chief minister's reply itself makes the picture clear. He alleged that the state govt is acting with "political vendetta" by withholding funds from constituencies represented by opposition legislators. However, Sukhu denied these allegations stating that the state govt is committed for balanced development of the state, and that it gave the highest disaster relief to the Thakur's Seraj constituency.Digital fraud cases: 258 heldThe CM informed the House that the hill state recorded total 585 cases of digital fraud amounting to a loss of Rs 150 crore in last three years upto Jan 31 this year. Responding to a question by Badsar MLA Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, he said 258 accused have been arrested in these cases, the involvement of four bank employees has been established, and Rs 10.25 crore has been recovered. He added that the state police have strengthened steps including use of AI-based tools to probe cyber frauds on priority.Rs 16,169 cr GST collectionHimachal Pradesh registered goods and services tax (SGST) collection of total Rs 16,169 crore in the past three years upto Jan 31 this year showing a consistent growth, the CM shared in a written response to a question by BJP MLAs Jeet Ram Katwal and Trilok Jamwal. He added that the state collected total Rs 8,154 crore from excise tax in the past three years upto March 19 this year and excise collection also showed an upward trend.177 accidents in JanAs many as 6,515 road accidents took place in the hill state in the last three years upto Jan 31 this year in which 2,643 people lost their lives and 9,999 got injured, shared Sukhu through a written reply to a question by Manali MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur. Detailing various steps being taken to reduce road accidents, the reply highlighted that 2,253 road accidents were recorded in 2023 which reduced to 2,156 in 2024 and 1,929 in 2025. Whereas 177 road accidents happened in Jan 2026. MSID:: 129865356 413 |