Union minister Ashwini Choubey’s ‘Biharis crowding AIIMS’ remark draws criticism | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Union minister Ashwini Choubey’s ‘Biharis crowding AIIMS’ remark draws criticism

Press Trust of India, Patna | ByPress Trust of India
Oct 10, 2017 10:43 PM IST

Media reports stated that the MoS for health also said he had instructed the director of AIIMS, Delhi to turn away such patients.

Union minister Ashwini Choubey’s reported remark about Biharis “crowding” AIIMS, Delhi even for “minor ailments” on Tuesday drew criticism from rivals and ally JD(U), with chief minister Nitish Kumar saying it is the duty of MPs to take care of their constituents going there for treatment.

Ashwini Kumar Choubey takes the oath during the swearing-in ceremony of new ministers in New Delhi on September 3.(AFP Photo)
Ashwini Kumar Choubey takes the oath during the swearing-in ceremony of new ministers in New Delhi on September 3.(AFP Photo)

“People of Bihar are unnecessarily crowding AIIMS, Delhi even for minor ailments which can be treated at home,” media reports quoted Choubey as having told a function here last Sunday.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The Union minister of state for health had also reportedly said he had instructed the director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to turn away such patients.

Choubey’s reported remark kicked up a controversy back home.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, without naming Choubey or referring to his statement, said it has been the duty of every MP from Bihar to take care of people from their constituency visiting the national capital for treatment at the hospital.

“This has been a basic responsibility of every MP from Bihar to attend to people coming from their constituency for treatment at AIIMS,” Kumar told a health department function.

He said he used to keep an assistant who would accompany patients to AIIMS so that they were not inconvenienced. Kumar, a former Union minister, represented Barh and Nalanda Lok Sabha constituencies four times in the past.

“If a patient was serious, I would myself talk to the doctor concerned or visit AIIMS to see him. During such visits I used to see a large number of people from Bihar thronging AIIMS for treatment,” Kumar said.

The chief minister said health facilities have improved in Bihar and now people are going to AIIMS, Delhi “out of choice” and not compulsion.

Choubey’s remarks had prompted Tamanna Hashmi, a Muzaffarpur-based social activist, to file a complaint against Chaubey in chief judicial magistrate’s court on Monday.

The RJD and Congress latched on to the minister’s reported remarks to attack the BJP.

“Citizens of Bihar feel insulted by the minister’s remarks,” senior Congress leader and AICC member Prem Chand Mishra said.

RJD vice president Shivanand Tiwari said the minister was talking “rubbish”.

However, Choubey’s party BJP came to his defence, with Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi saying his comments were misinterpreted.

“What he (Choubey) intended to say is that efforts are being made to improve the facilities available in Bihar to such an extent that the necessity to rush to other places for better medical treatment was minimised,” he said of the Union minister, who represents Buxar seat in the Lok Sabha.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Lok Sabha Election 2024 LIVE along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Monday, March 18, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On