Shimla’s political corridors are buzzing with sharp criticism from Himachal Pradesh BJP President Rajiv Bindal, who on Wednesday unleashed a scathing attack on the state of healthcare services in Sirmaur district. Bindal painted a grim picture of deteriorating medical facilities, accusing the government of neglecting the region’s most vulnerable.
Diagnostic tests have skyrocketed in price, registration slips now come with hefty fees, essential medicines are in short supply, and the number of doctors has dwindled alarmingly. ‘This is nothing short of a crisis,’ Bindal declared, highlighting the closure of three Primary Health Centers and one Community Health Center.
He didn’t stop there. Bindal lambasted the ineffective implementation of the Himcare scheme and the utter disregard for Ayushman cards, calling it a ‘grave injustice’ to Sirmaur residents and the Nahan assembly constituency. Citing a recent report presented by the Governor, he pointed out the stark disparities: medical colleges in Chamba, Hamirpur, Tanda, and Chamiyana Super Speciality Hospital, along with IGMC Shimla, have received substantial financial aid, while Nahan Medical College has been left high and dry.
As a former Health Minister, Bindal’s frustration peaked over the stalled construction of Nahan Medical College, which has been on hold for over three years. ‘The central government, under PM Modi’s leadership, released full funding, but there’s no accountability for its use,’ he fumed. Questions poured out: Why hasn’t the 11-story building and proposed 500-bed hospital opened? What’s delaying the 50-bed Mother and Child Hospital for over three years? Where has the approved funding for the nursing college vanished?
Bindal accused Congress leaders of shifting blame to the Centre while using derogatory language, prompting a strong BJP backlash. Despite receiving nearly 27,000 crore in revenue deficit grants and thousands more in other aids over the past three-and-a-half years, institutions are shutting down, development is frozen, and citizens suffer. ‘Where has all the money gone?’ he demanded.
The BJP delegation had already registered its protest and walked out of an all-party meeting ahead of the budget session. Bindal emphasized the Centre’s unprecedented support across 40 months, blaming the state government’s alleged financial mismanagement and administrative failures for pushing Himachal backwards.