AGARTALA, Sep 9 (TIWN): Tripura erupts in protest statewide against BJP Govt’s inhuman decision of scrapping Free medical Service in Govt hospitals. Cutting across party lines CPI-M , Congress, even BJP, IPFT supporters statewide on Monday are protesting against BJP govt’s anti-people decision of removing Free Medical Service in all the Government hospitals. In a major anti-people move of the BJP led Tripura Govt against poor and middle-class people, patients have started dying without treatment in the Govt hospitals as State Govt has slashed the free medical service from all hospitals which since Tripura’s medical history was free. Common men, political parties have condemned the move of the Govt and urging the Government to immediately change the inhuman decision Today Congress across Tripura launched various agitations led by party leaders in different spots with only one demand that is the “Reinstallation of the Free Medical Service” in Tripura.

Addressing media, Congress leader Panna Deb slammed the BJP Govt’s so called “Business” mindset. She said, “Charging poor people in medical service proves how mean the BJP Govt is and what type of mentality they keep against the people. If the leaders want to do business there are so many unused lands. Why don’t they open private hospitals there for their Business ? Who gave them right to snatch poor people’s rights ?”

“Now each patient has to book a ticket at the price of Rs. 20 first, then Rs. 30 Doctors’ fees, Oxygen Rs. 50 /hour, How mean the Govt is are taking Rs. 50 even from food items ? Shame on this Govt”, said Panna Deb.

“All tests are now charging at extreme ! But earlier all were free. How low-grade mentality the Govt has today it is proven. Govt has to change the decision right now or the protests will be escalated”, said Deb.

On yesterday on the background of the protest, Congress leader Subal Bhowmik said that this not only Govt’s brutal move but also Govt’s scam. He said, various projects which are free under  Ayush, NHM, now State Govt is charging from the people.

“By downloading papers from the internet Govt has put various charges whereas 60% of those items are not added yet in Tripura’s Health Service”, said Subal Bhowmik.

CPI-M also staged various agitations across Tripura today led by former CM Manik Sarkar and other senior leaders.

Media, Common men all are pressing the Govt to change the inhumane decision immediately. Netizens also have slammed the Govt. The No. F.1 (28)-DHS/GS/18 issued by Department of Health and Family Welfare on September 6 asked the consumers to pay Rs. 20 and Rs. 10 for registration in Out Patient Department (OPD) and Rs. 30 and Rs. 20 for admission in hospital beds respectively. 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.

Source alleged that Law Minister Ratanlal Nath is behind such unpopular decisions of the CM's dept and suggesting various wrong ideas which are destryoing CM Biplab Deb's image including CM's statement in 10323 teachers case.