Doctors refuse hill postings: CM
Government mulls setting up Medical College in Churachandpur
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Puyam Romeshwor

Imphal, June 24 2015 : An apparantly dismayed Chief Minister Okram Ibobi disclosed that the government plan to send specialist doctors on two months rotation basis in the remote hill areas is botched simply because the specialists have refused hill postings.

He was speaking on Wednesday while inaugurating four government buildings including Ayush hospital in Imphal.

He further added that there are not enough specialist doctors.

It is not advisable that all available specialists should stick together in Imphal.

Some doctors will soon come out as specialists and arrangements will be made for their postings in the hills.

He said that employees in Tripura are well disciplined.

It will be in the state interest if they discharge duties with discipline.

He also said that teachers do not want to be posted in the hills.

Most of them are overcrowding the schools in and around Imphal where there are not enough students.

CM inaugurating four government buildings including Ayush hospital in Imphal :: Pix - DIPR

The government is giving attention to the medicare in the hills.

There is a proposal to increase the 50 bedded hospitals to 100.There is also a proposal to set up a medical college in Churachandpur district.

The number of scheduled caste doctors is low and there is a need to increase the number of doctors.

Since health department concerns the life of the people there is a need to provide infrastructure.

The medical directorate new building was constructed at the cost of Rs 5.90 crore But there was additional expense due to cost increase related to the delayed construction.

And government had to bear the additional expenses.

One Ayush building was also inaugurated at Lamphel along with two others food testing laboratory and family welfare training centre.

Recurring blockades: We hang our heads in shame: Ibobi
Frequent imposition of economic blockades along National Highways is really 'disgraceful' in front of other States and added that discussion is the best means to consider demands raised by organizations in the State, Chief Minister O Ibobi has stated on Wednesday.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a function at Lamphelpat, the Chief Minister also said enforcement of economic blockade to pressurize the Government is not an acceptable move.

Referring to the ongoing economic blockade called by All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM), Ibobi admitted that the strike has caused untold sufferings to the people.

In a wry remark, the Chief Minister said the series of demands of the student union include even regularization of Part Time School teachers.

The ATSUM has also demanded setting up of a ST Commission, he said and iterated that the State Assembly has had discussed the proposal.

He said his Government is considering appointing chairman and vice chairman of the proposed ST Commission.

Ibobi said Deputy Chief Minister is holding the charge of the affair relating to development of the tribal people and reiterated that the fulfillment of ATSUM demands entail talks and not economic blockade.

He referred to the council formation in the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) for which elections were recently held and said steps have been taken to appoint Government nominees soon after which formation of councils will be set into motion.

Commenting on the ongoing strike by Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) staff, the Chief Minister said the Government cannot grant all demands taking into consideration the potential impact on the exchequer.

However, Ibobi hoped for positive outcome through talks between the Government and all the striking organizations.