Pradeep Singh

Accusing the Odisha government of being insensitive towards people's rights to access healthcare services, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today demanded an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the death of a youth from Kujang who succumbed during treatment at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack following a suicide bid outside the State Assembly on Wednesday.

Addressing a presser at the party office in Bhubaneswar, senior BJP leader Manmohan Samal questioned the intention behind conducting post-mortem of the deceased youth, Dusmanta Das, at night if at all he had been provided the necessary treatment.

He further stated that the State government should announce a compensation of Rs 30 lakh to the daughter of Dusmanta and Rs 30 lakh to his family members. Besides, he demanded a job for the wife of the deceased.

In the background of allegations that Dushmanta had been denied treatment under the Biju Kishan Kalyan Yojna (BKKY), a flagship healthcare scheme of the State government, Samal said the Central government’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana must be implemented in Odisha in the interest of the people.

He alleged that the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is shying away from implementing the Centre's health scheme due to its greed and ego. "The BJD is politicising the health scheme. It (BJD) should shun its greed and ego and implement the Central scheme," said Samal.

The Ayushman Bharat Yojna provides an annual health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family and the Odisha government must ensure that the people here get the benefits of the scheme, he said. 

"We strongly condemn the State government's attempt to play with the lives of people by not implementing the scheme. When it comes to health services, no caste, creed, religion or party should rule to roost. It's our duty to extend a helping hand to whoever asks for it," he added.

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