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Himachal CM Launches Rs 110 Cr Projects, Addresses Doctor Strike Over Termination

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth approximately Rs 110 crore in Bilaspur district. The projects include a major sewerage scheme, police staff quarters, and a CCTV surveillance centre. Concurrently, the CM addressed a protest by resident doctors, assuring a fresh inquiry into the termination of a doctor at IGMC Shimla following a viral altercation video. The Resident Doctors Association called off their mass leave after the CM pledged to re-investigate the case and enhance security measures for medical staff.

Key Points: Himachal CM Inaugurates Projects, Resolves Doctor Protest

  • Rs 110 crore development projects
  • Sewerage scheme & police quarters
  • CCTV surveillance centre
  • Doctor termination controversy
  • Assurance of fresh inquiry
3 min read

Himachal CM dedicates development projects worth Rs 110 crore in Bilaspur

Himachal CM Sukhu dedicates Rs 110 crore projects in Bilaspur, assures fresh inquiry into doctor's termination after meeting with protesting resident doctors.

"The Chief Minister assured us that a fresh inquiry would be conducted - Dr Sohil Sharma, RDA President"

Bilaspur, December 26

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, during his one-day visit to Bilaspur district on Friday, inaugurated and laid foundation stones of various developmental projects worth about Rs. 110 crore in Bilaspur.

The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of a sewerage scheme for Bilaspur town at a cost of Rs. 93.30 crore and staff quarters to be constructed in Police Lines, Bilaspur, at an estimated cost of Rs. 12.23 crore.

He also inaugurated the CCTV Matrix DMFT (Netrum Surveillance and Crime Response Centre) for the Bilaspur and Ghumarwin areas, set up under the PMKKKY scheme at a cost of Rs. 4.38 crore.

Earlier, as resident doctors across Himachal Pradesh announced a day-long mass leave on Friday, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured a fresh inquiry into the patient assault controversy that led to the termination of a senior resident doctor at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla.

Following a meeting with the Resident Doctors Association (RDA), its president, Dr Sohil Sharma, told mediapersons that the Chief Minister had agreed to re-investigate the case and consider all evidence placed before him.

"Our main demand was the revocation of Dr Raghav Nirula's termination. The Chief Minister assured us that a fresh inquiry would be conducted and that he had taken cognisance of the documents and evidence shown to him," said Sharma.

The doctors had announced the mass leave to protest the termination of Dr Raghav Nirula, a senior resident in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at IGMC. His services were terminated after a video showing a physical altercation between him and a patient went viral on social media.

The incident, which occurred on December 22, involved Dr Nirula and a 36-year-old patient, Arjun Pawar, a resident of Chopal. Apart from terminating the doctor's services, Shimla police registered an FIR against him at the Shimla Sadar Police Station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

While the state government acted swiftly to terminate the doctor on Wednesday, the RDA has termed the action disproportionate, claiming that an internal inquiry committee of the medical college had found both the doctor and the patient responsible for the incident.

Dr Sharma further said that the RDA had also raised concerns over the alleged mistreatment and humiliation of doctors during another incident in the Medicine ward at IGMC. "The Chief Minister has assured that action will be taken in that matter as well," he said.

On the issue of safety, Sharma said the RDA had sought stronger security measures for doctors in hospital premises, wards and operating theatres. "The Chief Minister has assured that new guidelines and instructions will be issued to ensure the safety of doctors," he added.

Commenting on next steps, Sharma said the RDA would convene a general house meeting later on Wednesday to decide on further action.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the projects are welcome, the doctor's issue is very concerning. Terminating a doctor without a proper inquiry sets a bad precedent. Doctors work under immense pressure. The CM's assurance for a fresh probe is the right step. Patient safety AND doctor safety are both important. 🙏
R
Rohit P
₹110 crore announced, but let's see how much actually gets spent on the ground. We hear about foundation stones every day. The CCTV matrix is a good move for security though. About the doctor, the video only shows a part of the story. The internal committee found both at fault, so why only punish the doctor? The system needs to be fair.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has visited Himachal, infrastructure development is crucial for both residents and tourism. The sewerage project will improve public health. On the doctor issue, due process must be followed. A knee-jerk termination helps no one. Hope the new inquiry brings clarity.
V
Vikram M
The police quarters and surveillance centre are needed. But the bigger issue is the environment in our government hospitals. Doctors are overworked and patients are frustrated. This clash was bound to happen. Strong security and better grievance systems are a must. The CM's assurance on guidelines is key.
K
Kavya N
Respectfully, I think the government acted too hastily in terminating Dr. Nirula. Social media trials are dangerous. If the internal committee's report said both were responsible, the action should reflect that. A doctor's career shouldn't be ruined in a day. Hope the fresh inquiry delivers justice.

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