AGARTALA, Sep 9 (TIWN): Raising voice for 56 years old deceased Paresh Modok who passed away after his family failed to provide Rs. 10,000 in the GB hospital for operation due to Govt’s circulation slashing free-medical-health service from all Govt hospitals, CPI-M kicked off statewide agitation today demanding re-installation of the free-health-care-service. Former CM Manik Sarkar, Former Health Minister Badal Choudhury marched a massive rally on the Rajpath taking massive queues of agitators behind the rally. In few places the rally was joined by common men who do not belong to CPI-M party citing the importance of this mass-movement in this poverty gripped Tripura. In another separate agitation at the Director of Health Services Office premise slogans raised against BJP Govt calling it an Anti-People Govt asking reply why in Vision Document BJP promised free-medical-health-service ? This protest was led by former Deputy Speaker Pabitra Kar and former MP Sankar Prasad Datta.

Across Tripura, place to place, CPI-M has organized this massive movment.

In an inhuman move, BJP led State Govt in Tripura has removed free medical service in Govt hospitals which has triggered massive resentments among the common men.

Political parties have slammed the Govt for the ‘inhumane’ move amid tight economic situation in this state. Congress, CPI(M) to kick off protest movement across the state whereas former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has written a letter to the incumbent Chief Minister Biplab Deb requesting him to reconsider his Government’s decision.

The No. F.1 (28)-DHS/GS/18 issued by Department of Health and Family Welfare on September 6 ruling in that consumers have to pay Rs. 20 and Rs. 10 for registration in Out Patient Department (OPD). Rs. 30 and Rs. 20 for admission in hospital beds need to pay off for all patients.

The prices added ICU beds at Rs. 300 for Antodaya Annapurna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries, Rs. 300 for Priority Group consumers and at Rs. 600 for people above the poverty level per day. AC cabins in public hospitals would be charged at Rs. 700 daily.

Food would be charged at Rs. 50 per day for APL consumers.

“Under the BJP Govt now, people have to die without treatment in Tripura”, said Congress leader Gopal Roy in a press release.

Chief Minister Biplab Deb has put logic, if people of Tripura every year can travel Chennai, Kolkata for treatment, why can’t they pay to the Govt. Counterattacking, CM’s statement, Congress leader Subal Bhowmik said, “CM’s logic is invalid. Those who can afford to go to other states, they never come in Govt hospitals. Govt hospitals are for poor and middle class people. Free health service is our people’s right”.

Another Congress leader, Advocate Pijush Kanti Biswas said that Govt must review the decision as it is clashing with the SC’s guidelines.

“Instead of thanking the people who trusted a Govt, rather this Govt imposed economic pressure on the people. Huge numbers of patients will be failed to do treatment in coming days. Thus, I request you to reconsider the issue on the humanitarian ground”, former CM Manik Sarkar wrote to Biplab Deb in a letter.