Neeraj Rohmetra
JAMMU, Sept 17: Union Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad today reiterated resolve of Congress party to storm back to power in the forthcoming Assembly elections in the State.
This was stated by the senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister while addressing a mammoth gathering of party workers at Leh Polo Ground. “Congress was the only party, which had strong base in all regions of the State and people needed to give a decisive mandate to help it form Government”, he emphatically stated.
“However, in case the polls deliver a fractured verdict, Congress will keep its options open and take help of either of the two regional parties “, he said in a veiled reference to National Conference and People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Launching an attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the veteran leader said, “the culture of BJP can be gauged from the fact that the party has dumped its senior most leader – L K Advani and is patronizing new faces. The senior party leader had nurtured the party over the years and now he has been sidelined in the same party”, adding, “this reflects the culture of BJP and now only some divine intervention can save them”.
Reassuring all possible support to people of Ladakh Region, Mr Azad said, “the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre and Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh in particular were keen to usher an era of development in this far-flung region”, adding, “the Centre has given its full backing to several important projects like Zojilla and Z-morh tunnel, Srinagar – Leh transmission line and several health projects”.
Showering praise over the working of the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), the Union Health Minister, said, “the autonomous council had played an important role in increasing the pace of development in Leh region. Congress party had also actively supported the constitution of the Hill Councils in the region and thereafter, ensured further devolution of powers to the Council in 2002, when our coalition was in power in the State”.
“Even as several regions of the State were infested with terrorism, Leh and Kargil regions remained free from this menace. People of Ladakh region are an epitome of peace and the region had flourished due to efforts of both Hill Councils”, said the Congress leader addressing the rally, which was jointly organized by LAHDC and district Congress unit of the party to facilitate the Union Health Minister over his acknowledgment by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the best performing Minister’s with this portfolio.
Eulogizing the functioning of the UPA Government, he said, “eight years of Congress rule at the Centre have ushered in development across the entire country. While the entire world was reeling under recession, UPA Government had taken several measures to nullify this affect and situation isn’t alarming in the country”.
The rally was attended by Minister for Urban Development Nawang Rigzin Jora, CEC Rigzin Spalbar and all Executive Councilors of the LAHDC and prominent leaders of Congress party.
Subsequently, Mr Azad had detailed interaction with the LAHDC members at around 4.00 pm. It was followed by interaction with several delegations from Leh and Kargil region. The delegations demanded improvement of health infrastructure in far-flung areas of the region.
The Union Health Minister also had a detailed review of the working of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in Ladakh region. The Minister also assured to provide full health infrastructure, if the State Government sanctions any new Health Centre in the region.
A delegation of Sarpanchs and Panchs also interacted with the veteran Congress leader and demanded immediate incorporation of 73rd amendment in the State Constitution. They also demanded early holding of Block Development Council (BDC) polls.
Few delegations also demanded that the present Sonam Narboo Memorial Hospital (SNM) bed strength be raised from 150 to 250 and it should be affiliated with Government Medical College.
Later, Mr Azad participated in a cultural programme followed by dinner, which was attended by all prominent persons of the district.
Union Health Minister would be flying back to New Delhi tomorrow at 10 am.
Earlier, Mr Azad praised the work culture in SNM Hospital Leh and he lauded the efforts of doctors and paramedical staff for delivering excellent health service to the people of Ladakh.
The Minister was speaking at the inaugural function of the MCH wing, CT scan, critical Mobile Van and oxygen Plant at SNM Hospital Leh yesterday.
Appreciating the dynamic approach by Urban Development Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora and CEC, LAHDC Rigzin Spalbar in carrying out all developmental schemes effectively with strict supervision over the executing agencies to lead Leh as a model area, Azad assured for more support in future for the development of the region.
Mr Jora expressed gratitude to Mr Azad for visiting Ladakh inspite of not being in the best of health and credited him for empowering Hill Council and other development like creation of more higher secondary schools, Tehsil and Blocks in Ladakh region.
Mr Spalbar said that due to Mr Azad’s support, a new era of development has started in Ladakh especially in health sector with many projects like Hospital campus worth 55 crore, CT Scan and oxygen plant worth 17 crore projects besides critical mobile Van.
Executive Councilors, former MP P.Namgyal, MLC Norboo Gyaltsan, Sarpanchs and Councilor, Doctors, paramedics staff were also present during the function.
Deputy Commissioner Simrandeep Singh presented vote of thanks on the occasion.
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